Whether he's a rousing tour de force, stoking the fire or he resorts to his palette of serene colors, drummer Fritz Wise compliments any setting. His versatile approach embraces several genres from Jazz to Funk and just about everything in between.
Wise hails from Houston by way of Texarkana, Texas. At that time, there was always plenty of music around the house. Fritz's grandfather was a self-taught Blues guitarist who also played the piano.
Dad fed him a steady diet of classic sides by Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Art Blakey and Lee Morgan. Meanwhile, his mother joined a record club and ordered R&B, Broadway show tunes and movie soundtracks. These early influences had a profound impact on Fritz's musical development.
In 1965, the family settled in Southern California. Fritz joined the orchestra at Henry Clay Middle School. After a stint at Washington High, Wise finished his senior year at Locke High. With one of the school district's most prestigious jazz programs, The "Msingi" (m sin gee) workshop, aka "The Jazz Workshop". Locke High School quickly attracted the likes of Ndugu Chancellor, Patrice Rushen and Gerald Albright. Established artists such as Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Willie Bobo and Billy Hart, frequently gave free clinics that provided inspiration. Soon, this fertile den of emerging young lions began to garner critical acclaim of its own.
Wise also honed his craft as a vital member of Horace Tapscott's Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. These innovative artists pushed the boundaries of tradition, opening doors to other worlds. Vaguely similar to the Sun Ra Orchestra and the Chicago Art Ensemble, the musicians were routinely joined on stage by free-spirited poets, dancers and drummers.
Fritz credits Billy Higgins and Clarence Johnston as his primary mentors. Billy unselfishly imparted his wisdom while sharing knowledge that had been passed on to him by "Philly" Joe Jones and Eddie Blackwell. Johnston stressed the importance of formal study, sight-reading, dexterity and coordination of the extremities. These elements allow Wise to roam the kit freely, dropping strategic bombs as he creates accents, timely rimshots and compelling tempos. His keen sense of time and sensitive brushwork will enhance any ensemble. Fritz is never too loud or overbearing.
Mr. Wise's credentials are quite impressive. He has performed with giants such as Arthur Blythe, Kenny Burrell, George Cables, Buddy Collette, Teddy Edwards, Curtis Fuller, John Hicks, "Slide" Hampton, Harold Land, Horace Silver, Patrice Rushen, David "Fathead" Newman, Hampton Hawes, Johnny "Hammond" Smith and blues legend Roy Gaines, among others.
Fritz has also backed several gifted vocalists, including Ernie Andrews, Abbey Lincoln Annie Ross, Leon Thomas, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. Fritz continues his rhythmic journey, exploring new horizons as he seeks the wisdom within.
