Ku-umba Frank Lacy

Ku-umba frank lacy

Native of Houston, Texas, Frank chose to pursue music after studying physics at an HBCU. His first professional performances  in the 70's were with Joe Tex and as a session trombonist at famed Allen Toussaint Studios in New Orleans. he attended The Berklee College of Music (79-81) studying trombone, jazz composition, and conducting. He then attended Rutgers Jazz Professors Mason Gross Jazz Department (82-86). Deemed as super-exec John Hammond's last "find, he embarked  on a career spanning almost 50 years, performing and recording with music icons of all genres, notably Lionel Hampton, Illinois Jacquet, Lester Bowie, Henry Threadgill, Bobby Watson, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (as musical director), McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Hargrove,  Elvis Costello,The Eurythmics, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Common, and Kid Cudi. Member of the Mingus Big Band for 30 + years, he recorded on 5 Grammy Award winning albums.

Frank currently instructs as Lecturer Of The History Of African-American Music and ensemble at Manhattan School Of Music.