Frank Adams
- This article is about the jazz musician, for his son, see Frank Adams Jr.
Frank Eaton "Doc" Adams, Sr (born February 2, 1928 in Birmingham; died October 29, 2014) was a jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and bandleader. He taught for 47 years in Birmingham City Schools and was a charter member and the second executive director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
Adams grew up in Smithfield and was introduced to music early. His father, Oscar Adams Sr had been a trombonist for W. C. Handy's Alabama A&M University orchestra and his older brother Oscar Adams Jr played clarinet. He continued to learn under William Handy, W. C.'s nephew at Lincoln Elementary School and under Fess Whatley at Industrial High School.
As a high schooler, Adams was reluctantly recruited into Whatley's big band to take the place of Amos Gordon on saxophone, and traveled to performance dates around the South. He later joined a second big band put together by his former schoolmate, Sonny Blount (later known as "Sun Ra"). He enrolled at Howard University in Washington D. C. in 1945 and founded the Howard Swingmasters big band. From there he began playing for some of the giants of jazz, including Tiny Bradshaw, Lucky Millinder and Duke Ellington.
Adams went on to complete a degree with honors in music theory and composition at the University of Chicago, a master's degree in education at Samford University, and a PhD at UAB.
Back in Birmingham, Adams formed his own band that featured his wife Dot as vocalist, playing a regular gig at the Woodland Club. He served as a music instructor at Lincoln Elementary for 27 years, producing top-rated bands, before being promoted to music director and program specialist for all Birmingham City Schools. He joined the Birmingham Heritage Band in 1976. In 1978, Frank Adams was inducted into the inaugural class of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, which he later headed as executive director. He continued afterward to serve as Director of Education Emeritus, conducting tours which he famously peppered with impromptu clarinet licks.
Adams was a lifelong member of Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, as well as a trustee and director of instrumental music. He was also active as member and one-time president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 256-733.
Adams also continued to perform as a member of several groups, including the Birmingham Heritage Band and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars. He died in October 2014 after a brief hospitalization. He is interred in the mausoleum at Elmwood Cemetery.
References
- Mathews, Burgin (January 15, 2010) "Birmingham Jazzman: “Doc” Frank Adams". Pavo magazine
- Adams, Frank E. & Burgin Mathews (2012) Doc: The Story of a Birmingham Jazz Man. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press ISBN 9780817317805
- Colurso, Mary (October 29, 2014) "Frank E. Adams Sr., Birmingham jazz great and influential teacher, has died at age 86." The Birmingham News
- "Dr. Frank Eaton Adams Sr." obituary (October 31, 2014) The Birmingham News