Frank Hosford - Piano & Organ; Composer
Frank Hosford began learning the piano at age 5 in 1932, and by the time he was in high school he was known as “88 Keys Frank.” Frank served in the Navy during WWII where he played piano at night in officers' clubs with musicians from many places, helping him develop into an experienced and versatile jazz pianist.
Though Frank chose not to pursue music when he left the service, he kept up on trends in the jazz world and continued to develop as both a composer and a pianist, incorporating elements of Dave Brubeck, George Shearing, and even Lenny Tristano into his playing. Frank’s previous recordings include Blues for George, released in 2003, and Yesterdays and Generations - both recorded while he was in a nursing home - released in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Frank also appears as a guest on his son Paul's CD Emergence.
Paul Hosford - Guitar, String Bass, Flute, Electric Piano, Drums & Percussion; Composer
Paul Hosford is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and engineer. Paul and his wife Lori have operated a recording studio in Albion, NE, since 1986 and in 2002 started Painted Heart Music. Paul’s solo guitar CD, Emergence, was given five stars by Jazz 2/Day and his work with young musicians earned him the praise of jazz writer Nat Hentoff. Paul produced and performed the Painted Heart jazz CDs Blues For George, When I Fall In Love and Generations as well as many other CDs in different genres.
Thomas Hosford - Vibraphone
Thomas Hosford started taking piano lessons – at his insistence – the day he turned five. In addition to the vibraphone, which Thomas performs on Generations, Thomas also plays drums (performing with jazz flutist Ali Ryerson when he was 15), bass guitar and ukulele. Thomas is currently a junior at Boone Central High School in Albion and is involved in music, speech, drama, quiz bowl, cross-country and track.
Rich Hughes - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Rich Hughes, a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE, Rich taught band for 37 years until his retirement in 2006. During his years teaching Rich played on weekends with several bands, including seventeen years playing trumpet with the Bobby Lane Orchestra and then guitar for 27 years, first with the band Oak Creek and then the duo Mohanna with Red Shoes. Rich has previously appeared with Frank and Paul on the CDs Blues for George, When I Fall In Love -- where he also did the trumpet and flute arrangements -- and Generations.
Angela Hosford - Flute
Angela Hosford plays flute on the track Pickle Puss on Generations. Angela is currently in her senior year at Wayne State College studying business marketing and is helping with the promotional efforts for Generations.