Frank Bey

Frank Bey, the "Southern Gentleman of Blues", is a master of the blues musician who has a unique sound of his own. Frank has been described as Ray Charles, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and B.B. King wrapped in one package.

Frank began singing at the age of four alongside his mother, Maggie Jordan, who is a well known gospel singer from Millen, Georgia--Frank's hometown.

Frank's career as a touring musician began in his teenage years, singing throughout the Southeast region. During this time, Frank drove for Ottis Redding and occasionally shared the stage with this legendary soul singer.

In the late sixties, Frank toured with The Ottis Redding Review. This opportunity had helped him develop into a dynamic performer who creates personal and exciting experiences for his audience.

Shortly after Frank's journey with The Ottis Redding Review, he continued his musical career touring with Archie Jenkins and The Incredible Saxons throughout the United States, Canada, Alaska, and Spain.

Frank's career as a working musician was finally taking off! Shortly after his international tour, Frank was offered a record deal which led to a two-year legal battle. "We were like brothers and sisters, then distrust came in, and there was a big breakup. It was almost like divorcing eight people. I made a vow to myself to never, ever join a democratic group again."

Frank later developed a business in construction to make ends meet and to support his family. In the 1990s, Frank opened a restaurant at Broad & Olney in Philadelphia, PA. Being fond of music and entertainment, he built a stage in his restaurant and began auditioning bands. "I couldn't really find bands at that point that satisfied my tastes in music, so I hired some musicians to back me, and the customers recognized his musical ability and asked, "Man, WHY are you in the KITCHEN?".

During the next two years, Frank developed his permanent entourage; "The Swing City Blues Band". In 1998 he released his debut CD, "Steppin' Out"--a project which demonstrates multiple blues styles including swing, standards, slow blues, delta, country, folk, and R&B.

The songs on "Steppin' Out" are catchy, hook-laden songs such as "Girl I Want to Be With You", and the funkier "Cookie Jar". The album also features straight-forward blues such as "Brother Man Blues", which features Jeff Monjack playing fine slide-guitar. While most of the songs on this album are band originals, it also features some awesome covers of "Someone Else Is Steppin' In", and blues-medley featuring "Why I Sing The Blues", "Stormy Monday", and "Hey, Hey, The Blues Is Alright!".

In June of 2000, Frank released his second album "I Wanna See You Soon". This album features a variety of classics such as "Turn Back The Hands of Time", "Ain't That Loving You", and "Sitting On The Dock of the Bey". Frank's arrangements of these songs truly demonstrate his individuality as a musician and artist.

"When I sing a song, I want to get in your chest. I want you to feel what I'm singing about. The music that I do reminds mature people and seniors of the times when they were falling in love, and the times when their children was born, so they're hungry for it."

Frank currently resides in Philadelphia, and performs internationally at a variety of venues. He is actively writing music and touring.

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Here's what a few people have said about Frank:

"His rich voice and exquisite style is presented with such feeling that each member of an audience can relate his songs to his or her experience." -Blues Bites, March 1998

"Frank pays tribute to his southern roots on the Denise LaSalle anthem, "Someone Else is Steppin In" and the perfunctory "Blues Medely", but shows a broader range on the originals that make up the rest of the set. Bey's music contains traces of Lou Rawls, Taj Mahal, Jimmy Witherspoon, James Brown, and even Piedmont blues when guitarist, Jeff Monjact switches to acoustic on "When It Comes To You". The most memorable moments come when the lyrics and music take on a harder edge as Bey turns to social commentary on "Brother Man Blues" and "Can't Turn Back". -Living Blues, July/August 1998