Frank Vincent

Former Local #1 member and pianist Frank Vincent passed away April 17, 2014. He was 76. Frank didn’t need an encore to impress jazz lovers. He performed in area clubs for over 50 years. When not playing with his trio here, he toured with R&B legend James Brown or jazz singers Mel Torme and Mark Murphy.Rick VanMatre, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music professor emeritus called Frank “one of the few jazz musicians that could truly be called a poet.”  VanMatre played often with Mr. Vincent until the pianist suffered a stroke in 2011. A 2002 Enquirer story called Mr. Vincent “one of Cincinnati’s musical treasures for many years.”

Frank Vincent was born, April 10, 1938, in Falconer, NY. An accordion player, he performed after high school with a country western group called the Western Heirs.

He later joined a lounge band and the group played the old Blue Angel in downtown Cincinnati in 1958. He stayed to study at CCM and collaborate with drummer Dee Felice.

Vincent’s trio had long running gigs throughout the area including the Playboy Club, Buccaneer Inn, Carousel Inn, and the Harley Hotel. Many members of the Local including Lou Lausche, Lynne Scott, Mike Meloy, Mike Sharfe, among others performed with Frank over the years. A memorial celebration will be scheduled for the future but there was no funeral per his request.

He is survived by his daughter Theresa Gehring, son Steve Vincent, sister Sylvia Fuller, brother Arthur Vincent, two grandchildren and former wives Doreen Vincent and Mary Ellen Tanner.  He was proceeded in death by wife Rose Carlotta.