Frank Sumares

Frank Sumares is Professor Emeritus at Chabot College in Hayward, California, where he was Director of Jazz Studies and Instrumental Music for over 25 years. Frank was the director of the award-winning jazz band at Chabot College for over 18 years. He is currently a professor in the Jazz Studies Program at San José State University. He has taught Jazz Theory and Improvisation and Jazz Piano at The Jazz School in Berkeley. He annually teaches at the Lafayette Summer Jazz Workshop. Frank is a professional musician, playing clarinet, saxophone and piano.

He has taught at the Jamie Aebersold Jazz Camps in the U.S. and Australia, was the Director of the Cazasero Jazz Camp in 1981 and 1982, and instituted the first Jazz Festival at California State University in Hayward and is one of the original teachers at the Stanford Jazz Camp. He has served as CMEA Bay section Jazz Representative and has adjudicated at all the major festivals in California. Frank has written three books on jazz improvisation, which he has edited into one book to cover beginners through accomplished players. In addition to arranging and composing for a variety of bands, he has worked with Bill Watrous, Ben Webster, Mel Torme, Patti Page, Sarah Vaughn, Della Reese, Shirley Jones, and Steve Allen.

Frank is a graduate of San José State University and has a Master's Degree in Music Education from California State University, Hayward. He received the "1997 Volunteer of the Year Award" from the City of Hayward and a number of other awards from the Lions Club for his volunteerism. He received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the San Jose Jazz Society. In December 2007, Mr. Sumares directed the Count Basie Band for Verve recording artist, Ledisi at Yoshi's in San Francisco. In October 2008, he again played with and conducted the Basie Band for Ledisi at the Blue Note in New York.