Grammy award-winning saxophone player Frank Catalano has written some of the most recognizable licks you've ever heard on a saxophone and was in town this week at Roxy 88, now revamped and re-christened Roxy Stage.
Catalano has played and performed with Tony Bennett, David Sanborn, Betty Carter, the Blue Man Group, Jennifer Lopez and many other artists. A native of Elgin, Illinois, Catalano first heard Louie Belson perform when he was 14. Belson asked if anyone wanted to come onstage and pick up one of the instruments and Catalano was the only taker.
Though he had a career before he ever had a degree, he nearly lost it that same year. While working on his car, he severed his right ring finger. Doctors reattached it and the next year Catalano would earn his first Grammy playing with Tony Bennett.
He's been at the newly opened Roxy Stage this past week, playing gigs that culminated in a midweek romp Wednesday night. Now he's in Milan, but looks to be coming back to Taiwan in October for the Taichung Jazz Festival.
Roxy Stage is the newest and most intimate incarnation of the Roxy chain of restaurant-bars. It's at 161 Jianguo S Rd, Sec 1, Taipei (
RSS