A well-respected big-band arranger, Frank Mantooth wrote for countless orchestras and musicians beginning in the early '70s. His mother played piano and uncle was a violinist, so Mantooth grew up with music. Although he played some guitar 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 (1969-1973), 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 respected name in the jazz education world. Mantooth recorded a duo album (Our First on Fontana) with bassist Wayne Darling. After returning to the United States in 1980, Mantooth maintained a busy writing, teaching, and performance schedule. Quite active in the jazz education field (including serving on the adjunct faculty of DePaul University), Mantooth recorded with the Phil Wilson Big Band, Ashley Alexander (who performed three full albums of Mantooth arrangements on the A.M. P.M. label), and Kirsten Gustafson, and wrote for Louie Bellson, Art Farmer, and Carla Helmbrecht, among many others. Mantooth, who considered his main inspiration to be Gil Evans, also led albums of his own for Optimism and Sea Breeze. Frank Mantooth died of a heart attack on January 30, 2004. He was 56. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi