Frank Wright (jazz musician)

Frank Wright (June 9, 1935 – May 17, 1990) was an American free jazz tenor saxophonist. Born in Grenada, Mississippi, Wright developed his distinctive and passionate style while living and performing in Cleveland, Ohio during the early 1960s.

He moved to Europe in 1967, where he found greater acceptance and opportunities for his music. He resided primarily in France, where he recorded extensively for labels such as ESP-Disk, Center of the World, and FMP. Wright's playing was characterized by its intensity, raw emotion, and spiritual fervor. He frequently incorporated elements of blues and gospel music into his improvisations.

Wright's discography includes albums such as "Your Prayer" (1967), "One for John" (1969), "Church Number Nine" (1972), and "Last Polka in Nancy?" (1973). He collaborated with other notable free jazz musicians, including Noah Howard, Muhammad Ali, and Alan Silva. While his work was not widely commercially successful, Wright is recognized as a significant figure in the development of free jazz and continues to be influential among musicians exploring the boundaries of improvised music. He died in Germany in 1990.