SAD & BAD NEWS IT REALLY SUCKS

[Phil Barone]

My best friend of many years is very pretty sick. Most people know of Frank Vicari but here's some more info:

Although only known through specialized circles of Jazz aficionados, saxophone legend Frank Vicari has truly earned the title of master. Starting on clarinet, Frank’s dad influenced him to practice hard every day. When he was fourteen Frank added tenor sax to his repertoire and started hanging out in the Newark Jazz clubs with cats three times his age who gladly accepted the talented teenager into their group and showed him the ropes.

By the time Frank was 15 he joined the local union in order to be able to do gigs but when he was eighteen drafted into the Air Force where he played in various service bands from 1951-55. After serving in the Air Force Frank played around New York City where he rapidly became known as a respected musician and played in various ghost bands until 1960 when he was recruited by Maynard Ferguson for the lead tenor chair and where he remained until 1965. This band is said to be the pinnacle of Maynard’s big band era.

After the Ferguson band was dismantled Frank joined Buddy Rich but soon was convinced by Woody Herman to join him and his Thundering Herd in 1960.He remained as lead tenor player and eventual became the leader until 1970 when he moved to St. Thomas so he could play in small Jazz ensembles seven nights a week and just blow and escape the hectic New York music business.

Upon his return from St. Thomas Frank toured and recorded with Dave Matthews, White Elephant, J.Giles, George Benson, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, Billy Eckstein, Tom Waits, John Lennon, and on the Saturday Night Live Band. Frank was also nominated for his solo on “Mary Ann” while with Maynard Ferguson or maybe he was with Waits band.

Frank is the most wonderful person you can imagine and has worked for me for a number of years now but unfortunately is now quite ill. Please send him a get well card at:

Frank Vicari
484 W.43rd #44M
New York, NY
10366

If you can't write him then a phone call might work well too at: 212-714-2548
Frank loves to talk about music and help people so don't be shy. Some day you'll be able to look back and tell your grandchildren about your conversation with a jazz legend. In addition to Frank being an INCREDIBLE saxophone player, more importantly he is a genuine saint. He worked for me for years and the man has a heart of gold. Anyone that knows him loves him and people don't come any better. Please don't be shy and take that moment to write or call him. I am respecting his privacy with regard to his illness but if you really need details then you can ask him yourself. Thanks in advance and if you want to hear him play before he starts treatment then you can see him live at "The Garage" in NYC on 7th Ave. I rarely go out to hear players anymore but every chance I get I go to the garage. He is a true legend. Everyone PLEASE write or call. I will also be taking up collections for him because he's totally broke and has no money to speak of. Even if its one dollar please donate and help support him. How long will it take to make the call or put a couple of bucks in an envelope and mail it to him. PLEASE at least call him and offer moral support. Please make checks out to Frank Vicari and send them to:

Phil Barone
236 Coachlight Sq
Montrose, NY
10548
USA

PHONE-212-686-9410 LEAVE A MESSAGE AND I WILL CALL YOU BACK

OR

Frank Vicari
484 W.43rd #44M
New York, NY
10366

PHONE: 212-714-2548

If you like you may call me at 212-686-9410 Phil Barone. He needs our support and he is ashamed of himself because he has a lot of pride. God willing, maybe he'll get better. At the very least say a prayer for him. Anyone making a donation, I will match is 100%.

Sincerely, Phil Barone

[Mark5047]

Wow - thats tough news Phil. Hopefully the SOTW community will jump in and help with this. Tell Frank our prayers are with him.

Lets all remember, not everyone good got famous.

[Saxaholic]

I'm terribly sorry to hear this. I've heard Frank before and he's just an absolute monster player. It's sad to see such a great person and musician come under bad times.

Phil, I'll be placing a Brilhart Personaline up for sale in the Marketplace soon. The sale funds will go directly to you as a donation to Frank; send me a PM so I can get the $$ to you.

Saxaholic

[candiceartisan]

Phil,
I just tried calling him at 11:25 PM. Figured as a musician, he probably stays up late. I rang several times and got no answer. It's Saturday night. Do you think he's playing a gig? I'll try again tomorrow afternoon. Will also pray for the best for him.
Candy

[Phil Barone]

Phil,
I just tried calling him at 11:25 PM. Figured as a musician, he probably stays up late. I rang several times and got no answer. It's Saturday night. Do you think he's playing a gig? I'll try again tomorrow afternoon. Will also pray for the best for him.
Candy

I just got off the phone with him for an hour so you can try him now or tomorrow. I'd do a card too. Come on folks, everyone can afford the price of a get well card. Even just a dolllar would help him. I suspect that his treatmen will last a year or so. Thank you all in advance. Phil Barone

[Phil Barone]

I'm terribly sorry to hear this. I've heard Frank before and he's just an absolute monster player. It's sad to see such a great person and musician come under bad times.

Phil, I'll be placing a Brilhart Personaline up for sale in the Marketplace soon. The sale funds will go directly to you as a donation to Frank; send me a PM so I can get the $$ to you.

Saxaholic

Thank you very, very much. A better man you will not find. If you get $50.00 for the Brilhart, I send you one of my NY or Jazz models for the contribution. You can send me the check made out to him. I'd like to give all the funds to him at once. Come on folks, just a dollar or a get well card. PLEASE! I will owe everyone a reface job or custom work who manages to come up with a measley $27.00 or more. I can also take Paypal to philbarone@philbarone.com and I will contribute 5% to SOTW for this space. Even 50 cents. I guarantee it will come back to you in spades. Phil

[Phil Barone]

Phil,
I just tried calling him at 11:25 PM. Figured as a musician, he probably stays up late. I rang several times and got no answer. It's Saturday night. Do you think he's playing a gig? I'll try again tomorrow afternoon. Will also pray for the best for him.
Candy

Candy, I don't know what a PM is but my email address is philbarone@philbarone.com. I can't thank you enough. Phil Barone

[Saxaholic]

Phil,

I'm hoping to get $175 for the Personaline, or next offer. I'll send the money in full. Since you don't use PM, I'm sending you an email.

Saxaholic

[Phil Barone]

Wow - thats tough news Phil. Hopefully the SOTW community will jump in and help with this. Tell Frank our prayers are with him.

Lets all remember, not everyone good got famous.

How bout you tell him with a card or or phone call. Better yet, how bout $5.00. He's having trouble making ends meet. He's also a very proud Italian so let's keep some of the more sensitive details quiet. Remember, I'll match any contributions buck for buck and SOTW will get 5%. Only good can come from this and if you have faith and give the money unconditionally you will get it back; it's a law of the universe, faith+uncondition has to equal returns. Make me an offer for a mouthpiece and I'll work with you and Frank and SOTW will get the dough. I'll get nothing except satisfaction. Frank is still playing Monday nights at the Garage on 7th Ave on Monday nights. It pays $20.00 so he not exactly flush. Phil

[Saxaholic]

Phil,

Paypal payment coming your way for Frank. More to follow when the Brilhart sells.

Saxaholic

[ThunderWhale]

I just bought the Brilhart from Saxoholic. I hope all becomes well, and I'll play the mouthpiece to the ground, for Frank!

[Mark5047]

How bout you tell him with a card or or phone call. Better yet, how bout $5.00. He's having trouble making ends meet. He's also a very proud Italian so let's keep some of the more sensitive details quiet. Remember, I'll match any contributions buck for buck and SOTW will get 5%. Only good can come from this and if you have faith and give the money unconditionally you will get it back; it's a law of the universe, faith+uncondition has to equal returns. Make me an offer for a mouthpiece and I'll work with you and Frank and SOTW will get the dough. I'll get nothing except satisfaction. Frank is still playing Monday nights at the Garage on 7th Ave on Monday nights. It pays $20.00 so he not exactly flush. Phil

Phil - I planned on sending him a card, and sending you some money to put in the pot for when you give it to him - and I really don't want anything in return.
Man, are we at the place where a cat with his credentials can only get 20 bucks for a gig?
PS - I am italian too, so I understand what you mean about having some pride. I will honor that.

[goodsax]

I'm deeply saddened to know another great sax pro is suffering extreme adversity. He's very lucky to have someone like you for a friend. I'm a former customer of yours (tenor neck on eBay) and know you to be an honorable man, and now I see your compassionate side and I like what I see. There's a paypal donation on the way to your account for Frank.

Take care.

Rob

[Phil Barone]

Wow - thats tough news Phil. Hopefully the SOTW community will jump in and help with this. Tell Frank our prayers are with him.

Lets all remember, not everyone good got famous.

Frank had a strong following,but let's keep those ebucks coming in. So far we have $250 bucks but I think we can do better. Why does everyone praise a player after they're dead. I always thought that was silly. PLEASE if you can't do any money then please send a card. Once again his address is:

Frank Vicari
484 W.43rd #44M
New York, NY
10036

and his phone number is 212-714-2548
And remember, I'm matching donations dollar for dollar. If you can't do money then maybe just a little gift. How long will it take to put a five dollar bill and mail it to me. If you'd don't want to mail it to me then mail it to Frank. I just thought it would be nice to give it all at the same time. Think about if you were sick how you'd like it to be. Imagine getting cards in the mail from complete strangers and how that would make you feel. Listen to Frank on some Tom Waits tunes or Maynard or Woody's band. Phil

[baribri]

Phil,
I've paypal'ed something to you for Frank. (please nothing in return but your on-going friendship) Although I only met him once at your NY apt. he came across as a really nice guy and I know of his wonderful talent and have heard about him over the years from a number of players that came from his old neighborhood in NJ, not a bad word in the bunch. I also think it's wonderful of you to have such caring and sensitivity to and for other people, it says a lot about you and it's all good.
As always, I wish you nothing but the best.
Brian Axelrod

[Phil Barone]

Phil - I planned on sending him a card, and sending you some money to put in the pot for when you give it to him - and I really don't want anything in return.
Man, are we at the place where a cat with his credentials can only get 20 bucks for a gig?
PS - I am italian too, so I understand what you mean about having some pride. I will honor that.

Hi Mark,

Thank you very much. I see you have a Harley there. I had three, a 77 Sportster, a 77 Superglide, and a 47 Knucklehead and most recently a insane Ducati with 140 rear wheel horsepower.

Regarding Frank, it is really a sad situation. That gig he works at the Garage just raised it from $10.00 to $20.00. Ridiculous for a guy that led the Wood Herman band. To add insult to injury, he lives in Manhattan Plaza and recently had problems making ends meet so they tried to evict him so they made some kind of deal but Frank didn't have the money so they started eviction proceedings again and sent him an $8000.00 bill for their attorney. Thanks to our present goverenment, they are trying to end all affordable housing any way they can.

Whatever you can do will be great, even if it's a dollar and a get well card. Thank you very much and remember, next time you damage your mouthpiece I'll fix it for free. Phil

[DD]

How about a Lincoln Center benefit on short notice - hey Wynton, are you listening?

[Phil Barone]

How about a Lincoln Center benefit on short notice - hey Wynton, are you listening?

I'd take 1 or 2 dollars via Paypal to everyone who reads this to philbarone@philbarone.com

[jazzbluescat]

Phil, I just sent you an email inquiring how I can get a little something via paypal to you for Frank? What's the procedure, send me a paypal link?

[candiceartisan]

Phil,
I just tried calling Frank again. His phone machine came on and I left him a message, saying I would try him again soon. Obviously, he would know I am a woman, so I didn't want him to think I am a groupie or telemarketer. I briefly told him I play sax and would enjoy talking with him. Does he usually let his phone machine take calls instead of answering personally? I hope he's OK.
Candy