He took up the drums in 1939[2] after hearing jazz musicians such as drummer Gene Krupa and saxophone player Charlie Parker on the radio, learning to play solely by ear.
[1] Musicians Frank played with during this time include Parker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, and Bud Powell.
[1] Frank served on the USS Des Moines during the Korean War, but he continued to listen to jazz recordings on the radio.
According to some accounts, he rediscovered Baker at a gas station in 1967, where the trumpet player was working after having lost his teeth and consequently his ability to play the instrument.
[3] Frank played with Sal Nistico, Lorne Lofsky, Chris Connors, Drew Salperto, and Michael Formanek on these live albums with Baker.