Alex Frank
Alex Frank is a guitarist, composer, and educator who holds an undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies and a Master’s degree in Composition from the University of Kansas, where he studied with Danny Embrey, Matt Otto, and Dan Gailey.
As an active composer, he has premiered numerous original large ensemble works and was selected to present his composition Hymn for Peace at ISJAC in 2022. As an arranger, he has worked with jazz artists such as Mike Moreno, Bobby Watson, Anat Cohen, Camila Meza, Renee Rosnes, as well as Norwegian ice percussionist Terje Isungset. Alex currently publishes his large ensemble music with IJazzMusic.com. His debut quartet album, Reclaim, was independently released in 2023 after receiving a grant from the Koch Cultural Foundation.
As a working musician, Alex has performed and toured internationally with his own quartet and with the Classical Beat Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Pierre Bertrand (founder of the Paris Jazz Orchestra). Alex frequently collaborates with top-call jazz artists in Kansas City and can most recently be heard as a sideman on Matt Otto’s album, Umbra (Origin Records). Outside of playing jazz, he is also a guitarist for Lost Wax, one of the Midwest’s premier party and event bands.
Alex also maintains an active performance presence in the Columbia jazz scene, hosting a weekly jazz night at Top 10 Wines as well as a bi-weekly jazz jam session at Broadway Brewery. He is also the guitarist for the Columbia Jazz Orchestra.
As an educator, Alex has held teaching positions at the University of Kansas and Western Colorado University. He currently teaches harmony and arranging, jazz guitar, and small ensembles at the University of Missouri.