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Frank B. Greenlee

Pittsburgh

United States

Profile Information:

Pittsburgh Connection: Born and raised in Pittsburgh and have enjoyed it all. I have had the opportunity to play music as a small performer and as a radio announcer.
Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers: All the musicians and performers in Pittsburgh are my favorites. All the talent of Pittsburgh needs to be promoted as much as possible.

There are some Pittsburgh musicians that have been forgotten that need to be remembered, like Jame "Blood" Ulmer, Charles Bell, Allan Blairman and those that were adopted like Willie Love, Sonny Stanton and Mickey Bass to name just a few.
About Me:: My first gig was with Ron Bickle when we were students at Allegheny High School, Ron was a monster even then, he invited me to play with him at the YMCA on bass which I never played, he said I had ears so I could play it, I did.

some of you know me and can speak of me better than I can.
Website:: http://grou.ps/franksplace
Artist or Fan: industry professional

Comment Wall:

Dr. Nelson Harrison

Now that you are here, we are getting somewhere. that's what I'm talking about. Let's get the old school back on track and let everyone know where it's always been at.

Welcome! Check out Larry McGee's pics that should bring back some "real" memories.

Mar 8, 2008
Janelle Burdell

Sir, It's been too long. Nelson you know--got it going on here!! I'm sayin'! Cats I have not seen in...ahem...years! It's good to be home! stay warm ~ janelle

Mar 8, 2008
Michele Bensen

Excuse me, but do I know you? Ahhhhh yes, my dear Mr. Greenlee, where the heck have you been? I've tried many time s to find you through various mutual friends and now you're here. Read my email and give me a call nad let's catch up.
Love & Peace,
Michele

Mar 8, 2008
Michele Bensen

Well, I guess I need your email address to send you one! Hahaha...I hope you are doing well Frank. Ron and I work every Wednesday at Willow, sure would like to see you sometime. Take care Frank.
Michele

Mar 8, 2008
Dan Wasson

Mr. Greenlee, thanks for the great music you played on WAMO am in the 70's. Your show was my first exposure to Jazz. It was WAMO am except Sunday nights with Charles Pleasant. I remember first hearing George Benson's 'This Masquerade' on your show, I'd never heard of him, at first I thought it was Donnie Hathaway! Thanks

Mar 15, 2008
Jagsu

Thanks for the info!

Mar 23, 2008
KENIA

Dear Lord! Where have you been???? It's been such a long time. What's going on Bud??? :-) Great to reconnect!!!!!!!!!! Love Kenia

Mar 25, 2008
Rhadha Sewell

THANK you for your information. I remember hearing how he was famous for his beret and you just confirmed that for me. One of his most rememberable features. If you seen that picture on my page of the album he did with Charles Bell in 1963. He is on the cover in the upper right with his beret on. Did you go to that event. Carnegie Musical Hall is was recorded. I am hoping to find out if anyone has pictures of that. It had to be a pretty big event for the Jazz scene here in pittsburgh. I am trying to find any photos I can of my father. Maybe we can spread the word around. Someone somewhere has many pictures. We got to get them on this site to share rare photos of the past. . That would be fabulous. lol got to share that ideal with Mr. Harrison. What a great ideal.

Mar 27, 2008
Rhadha Sewell

I dont see the pictures on your page. See if you can get them re- uploaded. I cant wait to see them.

Mar 27, 2008
Rhadha Sewell

Mr Greenlee the last that I know about Mr. Bell he was last living in New York. I had contacted at least 10 years ago I found his information and contacted him asking him about the album that they did in 1963. The live trio album. He was gracious and sent me a cassette with the album recorded on it. I had a house fire since and lost the information. However, I have just been in touch with Poogie Bell as you may see in the comments area. He is Bell's son. He probably knows alot more than me. As for any other band members i dont know.

Mr. Greenlee Is there anything more you can share with me about my dad and how did you come to know him. If you would be willing to share with me,what you thought of his playing style. Anything you could share would be greatly appreciated. I was 12 when he died. I remember him taking me to different places i believe in shadyside. Had practices in the building we lived in and he took me alot of places on his shoulders. He died Jan 19, 1978. Cremated next day at Allegheny Cemetary. Due to a broken family situation i dont have any pictures of him from my mother. I have found a lot in the last several years and I continue to find more. Thanks alot :-)

Mar 29, 2008
Harry Clark

Hello Frank,

It's been ages since I've seen or talked to you.....much too long.
Let's get together and get "caught up". I'd love taking some time
to just hang out together.

Harry

Apr 10, 2008
LARRY MCGEE

HI FRANK,

MY GUITAR WAS CALLED A GUITORGAN, I STILL HAVE IT.
THE PHOTOS OF THE SAVOYS, I TRY TO CONTACT SOMEBODY!

YOURS TRULY,
LARRY MCGEE

Apr 17, 2008
Kevin Amos

Yeah man...let's get this party started.

Kevin

Apr 28, 2008
david shane

i think i could listen to your stories for hours....thank you for bringing us all the great music off the radio.....david

Apr 29, 2008
Dr. Nelson Harrison

Was that the New Era Supper Club?

May 14, 2008
Linda Jones

Frank, great pictures you've got posted...love the one of George at the bass!

Linda

May 29, 2008
Bryan Skip Reed

Hello Frank, you might not remember me, but I use too go with your sister Priscilla , the name is skip Reed I lived on the north side ,manchester I played drums for the Soul Brothers band . It was nice too see your still a great jazz fan. I live in california now and still playing . Tell your sister I said hello and contact if she can . Good to see your still around.

Jul 7, 2008
George C Jones

It's good to know that jazz is still our passion. If you can, you should come down to CJs on Penn and 27th st in the strip Roger has a jam session every Thur. starting at 8:00 p.m. it would be great to see you.
God bless,
George

p.s. sorry I took so long but you know me, i'm still shaky

Jul 11, 2008
Bryan Skip Reed

Hey Frank, its great to hear from you again. Your right my sisters name was Etta, she passed away in 1985 we miss her dearly. You can reach at this email address. reed_bryan@sbcglobal.net.

Jul 11, 2008
Bryan Skip Reed

Hello Frank, I would like to thank you very much for getting me back in touch with priscilla it was great to hear from her after all these years and I cant thank you enough much love bro thanks again.

Jul 14, 2008
Luther DeJarunett

Hi Frank! How have you been? We haven't talked in quite a while.I hope that all in your life is good!

Jul 15, 2008
Luther DeJarunett

It's great to hear from you, Frank! I'll be playing at that picnic with The Old School Band. If it's anything like last year's picnic, it will be fantastic! Looking forward to seeing you again.

Jul 17, 2008
Lisa M. Mathews

Thank you! I hope to see some of your work soon.

Jul 23, 2008
Lisa M. Mathews

Very nice work! If you have just started sculpting (me too) you are obviously anointed. All of my work is hand sculpted original pieces. I am currently looking into having my work reproduced into limited editions. I will let you know what I find out.

Jul 24, 2008
samuel black

Hello Mr. Greenlee. I am working on a docuemntary about Pittsburgh Jazz and would like to talk to you about it. Call me at the History Center 412.454.6391 I am there everyday.

Jul 25, 2008
Moe Seager

Frank,
I really like your pics of the Faces in wood.Faces in metal and the classic photos of the player! Who's the artist? About your mission to forward forgotten artists: Do you remember the Pgh. sculptor living in Shadyside in the 60's and 70's, whose work of wood embossed with hundreds of nails, after a Congolese tradition? Was his name "Bat"? His works were put in the Smithsonian Museum by 1970.He lived an obscure, popular life in the Burgh while celebrated in the fine arts world. He's black, always wore denim overhauls as he was in his studio a lot. I'd like to remember his name so I can write about him as a monumental figure in American /African-American modern art. Hey man, I listened to Easy 86, Wamo a.m Jazz every day in the 70's during its too brief existence. You were a hot d.j. with a smooth voice, an impressionable jazz affectionado.Shit, I heard many great songs for the first time on your show! I broadcasted jazz on WYEP in the 70's, later broadcasting for Wbai f.m., NYC. Occasionally I do guest radio broadcast shows here in Paris. I'm glad you're on the Jazzburgh scene.

Sep 3, 2008
Moe Seager

Right, Dingbat. Do you know his birth name so I might look him up? Is it you who created the faces displayed on this site?

Sep 4, 2008
Moe Seager

Frank,
It's good, right, to see a photo of Dingbat, one of Piitsburgh's, America's , outstanding sculptors. Thanks for sharing from your valuable archive.

Sep 4, 2008
Aaron Jackendoff

Thanks

Sep 15, 2008
Bryan Skip Reed

Hey Frank , just writing you too say happy birthday bro, and may you have many more.

Oct 2, 2008
Debi Sciranka

Hi

Just curious -- are you related to Nadine Greenlee? We used to work together at Allegheny Home Care. If so, tell her Debi Sciranka says "hello"!

Nov 6, 2008
Ronnie Cox

Were you once known as " The Big G" on WMBA Ambridge back in the early 70's?

Dec 7, 2008
Ronnie Cox

I am Ronnie Cox from originally from Beaver Falls. My younger brother and I used to listen to you on Saturday mornings I believe. Back then AM radio was pretty much all we had. We had a hard time getting WAMO in Beaver Falls. Those tunes you played helped to keep us in touch with the sounds of the 70's. As we get older, those things that seemed little years ago, were actually huge in helping to shape our lives. Thanks " Big G" ... RC

Dec 7, 2008
Dwayne Dolphin

Frank
I dont have the words for what you have meant to the jazz scene in this city! Dave Budway and I where talking about you yesterday! You and Buck! We love you and THANK YOU!

Dec 8, 2008
Jerry Butler

I would love to feature "you" as my guest on my show..If I am not your friend..please add me...also please call me @ the offc at 757 538 3540...757 971 3733 for details...click on the banner below to be a guest...JB

Feb 27, 2009
Buster Maxwell

Frank, "The Master, The Big G" Greenlee! I learned a lot about presentation from you when we were on WMBA, Ambridge. That was 1973, my first radio gig. We had some fun, yes? It was so far from my house that I spent more time on the bus than I did on the air.

Sep 5, 2009
Buster Maxwell

At 8:50pm on September 6, 2009, Buster Maxwell said…
Frank, Thanks for your nice note and the kind words. Those are also my demo tunes above the video link on my page. I'll be in touch - would love to catch up! - Buster/mj

Sep 6, 2009
Sandy Papi

Frank Greenlee, OMG where have you been since the Mercy Health Center days... Sandy K here. Hope all is well and good to see you here

Oct 4, 2009
Sandra Hurt-P

It saddens me to see so many jazz stations fading away. When living in Pittsburgh I could not wait to hear that distinguish deep voice saying “Hi this is Frank Greenlee”. His voice alone illuminated my already dark living room as I awaited the sooth sounds that I knew would soon be filling the room with history of many jazz artists. Some older than me at the time but still capture my mind wanting more. I remember when I applied for a job a Mercy health Clinic, the interviewer walked in the room and said Hi I am Frank Greenlee, I almost fell out the chair. In my mind I keep saying OMG it’s him, however I kept my composure until after the interview. Once it was confirmed I had the job then I fell apart, LOL. I have three children ranging from the age of 36, 22 and 19 and they all have been introduced to jazz including the history of jazz and the artist. We must continue to educate are children, grandchildren, all of our youth so that Jazz will not fade and slowly become a sound of the past like so many jazz stations. I wanted to take this moment to say thank you Frank!

Oct 10, 2009
Mark Leonard

Hey Mr Frank! (yes, although I'm 46, my dad (Roger Leonard) taught me nothing but respect! I remember your radio days " The Big G", it inspired me to finally do it. Did the Columbia School thing and had an on air Acid Jazz format show on WYEP for a couple of years while I was still with the Police Dept. Thanks to you...one of my Dad's best friends!

Mark Leonard

Dec 18, 2009