Clarinetist Frank Chace Dead at 83

By I Jan. 2, 2008

Chicago clarinetist and baritone saxophonist Frank Chace died Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. He was 83.

Chace was influenced by Pee Wee Russell and was on the Chicago traditional jazz scene for decades. He was featured on Dewey Jackson’s 1952 Live At The Barrel, recently released by Delmark.

Chace was born July 22, 1924, in Chicago. He went to Yale for a year before being drafted in 1943. He first recorded in 1951 on a few 78s introducing Marty Grosz on the Jolly Roger label. Chace also appeared on a Savoy album by Wild Bill Davidson.

After returning to Chicago he played with the Salty Dogs at the Blue Note, now available on a Windin’ Ball CD, then did another Windin’ Ball date with Natty Dominique, Floyd O’Brien, Lil Armstrong, Israel Crosby and Baby Dodds.

He recorded for Soma with Doc Evans in 1957 and later appeared on Atlantic in a Chicago Jazz Summit with Wild Bill Davidson, Eddie Condon and Art Hodes. Sessions recorded by John Steiner with Jabbo Smith have recently been acquired by GHB.

Chace also appeared on a Dave Remington Jubilee album, Chicago Jazz Reborn. He also was featured on a 1957 Riverside session with Marty Grosz, Hooray For Bix! and a 1967 session for Jim Kweskin Jump For Joy!.