Frank Moser, Jr. has been dubbed a "monster" of the alto saxophone. Talk with any of his sidemen and they'll list the reasons why. Better yet, hear it for yourself. Originally from Richmond, Va., Frank moved to Syracuse as a teenager with his parents and brother Tom, and has enjoyed playing Jazz for Central New York audiences ever since. He got his start when his father, a musician himself, presented him with a sax -- the only instrument available from Frank Sr.'s music school at the time -- and even though he'd wanted a trumpet, Frank embraced the gift, teaching himself his craft by listening to his favorite jazz records, two of which were "Jeep's Blues" by Johnny Hodges, and Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall jazz concert. Frank played in school bands and jazz combos, and later on in high school, during the late fifties, spent time apprenticing at local jazz clubs. "That was a time when a young musician could 'sit in' with older, experienced Jazz players, and in some cases, Rhythm and Blues players, and soak up the music," says Frank. "That sitting in apprenticing is almost nonexistent today." And Frank has proceeded to share his talent. "He taught me how to play," claims trumpeter Joe Magnarelli. "He's a great player, and you can't argue with his greatness." Through the years, Frank has had the pleasure of "sitting in" and playing with some great Jazz Musicians: "Sax" Hunter, Sal Nistico, Pepper Adams, Sal Amico, JR Monterose, Rick Montalbano, Jimmy Johns, Ricky Montalbano, Joe Magnarelli, Ralph Lalama, Joe laBarbera, Nick Brignola, Tommy Flanagan, Phil Woods, Vince Falcone, Andy Fusco, Glen Drews, Walter and Joel Weiskopf, Gerry Tomlinson, Ronny Zito, Doug Sertl, Sherman Mitchell, Mel Morgan, Jimmy Wormsworth, Joe Hunt , and many others. Frank worked his way through Syracuse University, at first working days at Clark Music Co. and going to University College at night, finally matriculating full time and working for Syracuse University as a maintenance worker (in the gym) from 4pm to midnight and attending classes during the day. "It was a grind, but in those days you could still do it without the loan crunch of today," Frank says. He got his BA in English Literature in 1968, and thought briefly of continuing school to get a PHD and teach English, but that was not to be. He was married now, and needed to "get a job." Throughout a 25 year career at the New York State Department of Labor, Frank continued in his love of Jazz, although performing infrequently. If not for Frank Malfitano, and his insistence that Frank play in the first Syracuse Jazz Festival, and subsequent Jazz Fests, he might have gone unnoticed. "Frank Malfitano has been a great fan of mine through the years and continues to motivate me to contribute what I can to Jazz in the Cuse," he says. Now in "semi-retirement," Frank works part time in his own business as an Employment and Training Consultant, and pursues more vigorously his passion for Jazz with continued appearances at the Syracuse Jazz Fest, and lately, his recording projects. "I have never left the music. It has been in my heart, my brain and in the pit of my stomach, and will always be my passion."