Frank Lacy is a jazz trombonist who has spent many years as a member of the Mingus Big Band. Lacy’s father was a teacher who played guitar with Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. His mother was a gospel singer. When Lacy was eight, he started learning the piano. In his teens, Lacy played trumpet, tuba, and euphonium before switching to trombone. He got a degree in physics from Texas Southern University. In 1979, Lacy went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying trombone and composition. Lacy moved to New York City in 1981. In 1986, he played with Illinois Jacquet’s big band, and a couple of years later he was musical director for Art Blakey. Lacy released his first album as a bandleader in 1991 with his father on guitar. He has also worked with Lester Bowie, Marty Ehrlich, Michael Formanek, Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove, Rufus Reid, Henry Threadgill, Steve Turre, McCoy Tyner, and Bobby Watson. Frank Lacy has spent over twenty years as a member of the Mingus Big Band.

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