Growing up in New Jersey might not sound like a big deal…unless you’re Frank Moten. Though born in New York City, Frank spent his childhood in Englewood, New Jersey surrounded by neighbors like George Benson, Wilson Pickett, Tony Bennett, The Isley Brothers, Sara Vaughn and Clyde Otis – which probably explains Frank’s passion for music and his infatuation with the music industry. Even still, growing up among a group of music legends wasn’t the most amazing thing that ever happened to Frank Moten. Dizzy Gillespie. was.

Frank’s closest neighbor was the great jazz man known for his cheek-puffing, horn-blowing, be-bop pioneering influence on American music. Not only was he Frank’s neighbor, Dizzy became Frank’s friend and mentor. After a short-lived television career (Frank appeared on Sesame Street when he was four) and with encouragement from his famous neighbor, Frank turned his attention to music. He started taking piano lessons when he was seven, but when he discovered that beating on a set of Tupperware was more fun, he switched to drums. 

It wasn’t long after that Dizzy gave Frank his first set of professional cymbals. And so, at twelve years old, Frank began his career as a musician.  Over the next decade and with Dizzy’s support and guidance, Frank pursued his music career, appearing at venues like Carnegie Hall, The Apollo, and the Beacon Theater. He grew up in jazz clubs in Greenwich Village. His friends were some of the biggest artists, producers, and managers in the industry. He learned the music business inside and out And still, it wasn’t enough. Though his love for music was as strong as ever, Frank’s passion for performing was waning, so he traded his drums for a computer and pursued a second career in IT management and consulting. During his career Frank developed and maintained software applications for companies such as Sprint, Avon Products, Revlon, Whirlpool and Universal Music.

Still, growing up with Dizzy Gillespie as a mentor was like getting a PhD. And even though Frank’s IT career was going well, he was still enamored with the music industry. What’s more, hip hop was emerging on the scene, so he was meeting a whole new generation of aspiring musicians. In time Frank would decide to combine his love for music and business with his technical expertise. He dabbled in studio work, cultivated his interests in producing and artist development, and in the late 80s, started producing concerts and recordings for a list of artists that included Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Lisette Melendez and Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock.

Dizzy Gillespie once said that “…music is One – and therefore it’s just an evolution of what has gone before.” He asked Frank, and all those who learned from him and benefited by knowing him, that they find a way to return the favor, to continue the evolution. When Dizzy Gillespie died in 1993, the world lost a brilliant musician, and Frank lost a cherished friend. After Dizzy’s death, Frank decided to commit his life to “returning the favor.” 

Frank formed TeeTah and recorded Still Boppin’/Night in Tunisia in 1998. During the next two years Frank toured the US creating new relationships in music. He reinvented himself as a vocalist experimenting with Rap and Jazz. After getting a creative boost Frank returned to the support of others including The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars. Frank the artist on rare occasions can still be found in your local night club Rappin Old School to HipJazz. And still, Frank’s not satisfied. With the success of the tribute and other recordings, Frank saw the kind of impact the internet was having on the music industry and realized that it could be a beneficial tool for emerging musicians as well. Frustrated by the presence available to independent musicians at the time, Frank founded OurGig.com. Combining his technical experience with his vast knowledge of the music industry, Frank is now able to provide artists with suite of internet marketing tools, radio promotion and CD distribution. 

Today Frank continues to share the magic of Dizzy. At The 2002 Chicago Jazz Festival, Frank and The National Jazz Museum presented 'Reflections of Dizzy' saluting over 5 decades of Dizzy's music. In 2009 Frank joined Jazz Legacy Productions, running label operations and helping to grow the brand. JLP is dedicated to documenting the jazz art form, and to enhancing the legacy of its artists for generations to come.