Frank Gant (May 26, 1931- July 19, 2021) was an American jazz drummer.
Gant, a native of Detroit, Michigan, recorded with Donald Byrd, Sonny Stitt, and extensively with Yusef Lateef in the late 1950s. He then worked with Red Garland before joining Ahmad Jamal's trio (1966-1976).
His first gigs were with Billy Mitchell and Pepper Adams. After working with Little John Wilson and his Merry Men at the Madison Ballroom including four days backing Billie Holiday, Gant joined Alvin Jackson's house band at the Blue Bird.Björn, Lars Olof (2001) Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit, 1920-60, p. 142. University of Michigan Press At Google Books. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
As the house drummer at Detroit's Club 12, with Jackson's band, he backed Thelonious Monk and Charlie Rouse in September 1959.
In the 1970s, he accompanied Jamil Nasser and Harold Mabern as the rhythm section for workshops run by Cobi Narita.Gourse, Leslie (1996) Madame Jazz: Contemporary Women Instrumentalists, p. 62. Oxford University Press At Google Books. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
Discography As sideman With Sonny Stitt 1958: Sonny Stitt 1960: Burnin' (recorded 1958) With Yusef Lateef 1958: Lateef at Cranbrook 1959: The Dreamer 1959: The Fabric of Jazz 1960: Cry! - Tender With Red Garland 1962: The Nearness of You 1962: Solar 1984: Misty Red With Ahmad Jamal 1966: Heat Wave 1968: Tranquility 1970: The Awakening 1971: Freeflight 1971: Outertimeinnerspace 1976: Recorded Live at Oil Can Harry's With Al Haig 1977: Manhattan Memories (Sea Breeze, re. 1983) With others 1955: Byrd Jazz – Donald Byrd 1958: Breakin' It Up – Barry Harris 1964: Proof Positive – J. J. Johnson (Impulse!) 1979: Monty Alexander in Tokyo – Monty Alexander with Gant and Andy Simpkins 1986: Moonray – Adam Makowicz with Gant, Jamil Nasser, Deborah Henson-Conant and Ed Saindon
References