A well-respected big band arranger, Frank Mantooth has written for a countless of orchestras and musicians since the early 1970's. His mother played piano and uncle was a violinist so Mantooth grew up with music. Although he played guitar a little while growing up, Mantooth eventually became a talented pianist. He earned a bachelor of music degree from North Texas State University in 1969, was a member of the Air Force Academy Falconaires (1969-73) where he contributed arrangements and then spent seven years living in Austria. During his period in Europe, Mantooth began publishing big band and combo arrangements, gaining a strong name in the jazz education world. Mantooth recorded a duo album (Our First on Fontana) with bassist Wayne Darling. Since returning to the United States in 1980, Mantooth has conducted a busy writing, teaching and performance schedule. Quite active in the jazz education field (including serving on the adjunct faculty of DePaul University), Mantooth has recorded with the Phil Wilson Big Band, Ashley Alexander (who on AM-PM performed three full albums of Mantooth arrangements) and Kirsten Gustafson and written for Louie Bellson, Art Farmer and Carla Helmbrecht among many others. Frank Mantooth, who considers his main inspiration to be Gil Evans, has also led albums of his own for Optimism and Sea Breeze. Mantooth died of natural causes January 30, 2004. He was 56. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide