Singer / songwriter Frank McComb is known for his soulful delivery and passionate keyboard playing. He has gained popularity as a session musician and musical director for well-respected artists such as Prince, Chaka Khan and Frankie Beverly & Maze. Frank has also built a solid reputation as a successful independent recording artist with a die-hard following. I recently went to see Frank McComb perform at Santa Monica’s The Temple Bar.

Thanks to The Temple Bar's sound engineer, Stephan Dumont, I got a chance to sit down with Frank backstage before his concert and provided this interview for Giantstep.net. Frank just finished having dinner with his family and fellow Berklee College Of Music alumni Lalah Hathaway. He is dressed in a dark blue baseball cap, lime green Akademiks t-shirt, baggy silver studded blue jeans and metallic green patten leather Nike sneakers. Frank sips on a glass of Gran Marnier Liqueur during our conversation.

I asked Frank what is on his iPod. He mentioned soul classics like The Spinners, Parliament, Patrice Rushen, Stevie Wonder, jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea as well as 50 Cent and Kanye West. "I love 50 Cent!" he exclaims. You'll also find pop acts Stacie Orrico and Panic At The Disco on his iPod, which is an influence from his daughter. "My daughter keeps me young mentally. My son keeps me strong physically." Frank said. "At home I'm dad and husband so it all helps me to stay balanced."

I also asked Frank how working with a variety of artists has helped him in his own career? He's studied the perseverance and longevity of the well-established artists he has worked with. After graduating high school he became musical director for Gerald Levert's Rude Boys and did his first touring gig. Frank then moved to Philly and worked with legendary producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at their Philadelphia International Records. He also toured with Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff where he learned hard work and to take advantage of the opportunity he’d been given. "I tell my children that money is something you can make over and over again," Frank says "But time is something you can never get back. Don't let people waste it."

Another artist he learned much from was Branford Marsalis. Frank was an artist on MoJazz (A Motown Jazz Imprint) and after two albums of unreleased materials he left. It was MoJazz then president Steve McKeever who told him that Branford Marsalis was looking for a male vocalist for his Buckshot LeFonque project. With Branford he learned discipline as he toured all over the globe. This led to his second recording contract, this time with Columbia. He released his debut album Love Stories on March 14, 2000. It was a great album that got lost in the shuffle due to issues of politics and money.

Disillusioned by two major labels, Frank then signed with a smaller independent company. His second album The Truth Vol. One was released in Europe and Japan only. Without a major distributor he found his CD available as an import only in the United States. To make matters worse there was an unauthorized release by that same company which has been titled as The Truth Vol. Two. And did we forget to mention CD-R bootlegs of his unreleased tracks from MoJazz that were sold on the black market and ebay? "The trap you set for someone, you gonna’ get caught up in." says McComb about the unauthorized releases. Frank released his own version of the MoJazz sessions as The 1995 Bootleg.

Being an independent artist can be challenging at times. He is involved in all facets of his career, including production, packaging and distribution of his material. Frank also has to make sure that he and his band get paid. But Frank is happy with the direction his career is taking. "I'm like a top line steak on a modest plate. Someone is gonna’ have to offer me China in order to give up what I got." Frank has most definitely learned from his experiences in the past, which have helped him greatly in his career today. He's also glad to stay true to his fan base by releasing music with integrity the way he sees fit. Its apparent his fans are most appreciative of him and his music. Frank McComb and his band played to a packed house at The Temple Bar that night.

Frank introduced me to his band members that evening. When we ended our interview he left to catch the opening act of Costa Rican vocalist Debi Nova. Drummer David Cowan, aka Young Prof., has known Frank since they were in a jazz trio together at the age of 17 in Ohio. Ian Martin is a world-class bassist and has recorded a CD of smooth soul titled The Way. Guitarist Tim Stewart is a successful touring and session musician playing with the likes of 4th Avenue Jones, Jessica Simpson and Heather Headley. All of them are amazing musicians in their own right.

That night Frank McComb and his band rocked The Temple Bar with a combination of fluid jazz, funk and soul. Recordings don't do Frank justice as he played funky, extended versions of his songs which included Shine and Do You Remember Love. Underneath The Temple Bar's black ceiling surrounded by red walls with an East meets urban decor, Frank showed us what a truly talented keyboardist and vocalist he is. His music recalls some of the great 70's soul singer/ songwriters, which he admires. Within the context of the songs all musicians served up solos to which the audience respectfully applauded. Seeing Frank McComb live is truly an experience to behold.

On Friday March 23rd Frank will be recording a live CD and DVD in Atlanta, Georgia. He's really psyched about the experience. In preparation there will be a week's worth of rehearsals. He has a band that’s based in Atlanta and they will be joined by progressive jazz artist Russell Gunn and The Atlanta Horns. Although the taping will be by invite only Frank will have a concert celebration for the DVD recording on March 24th in which all are invited. In the weeks before he will play at London's famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and several dates in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Thomas Baltazar (urban unrest)
An urban unrest production for Giantstep.net

Frank McComb Website
View Thomas' pictures from the show