Growing up in Long Island, New York, versatile trumpeter/flugelhornist Frankie V chose his instrument after hearing a recording of legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. “It was Maynard’s Live at Jimmy’s album. After hearing the album, there was no doubt in my mind what career I wanted to pursue. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said I had that album on my turntable for a whole year.”

Trumpeter Frankie V’s musical career began to take shape at an early age. FV spent his early years developing the craft of screaming lead trumpet by performing with countless numbers of big bands.

While attending Berklee College of Music he combined screaming lead trumpet and jazz soloing over the backdrop of his jazz funk group Future Reference. In 1993, he came out with his first solo album entitled Funky Talk which featured all FV’s original jazz funk compositions. Two years later, FV recorded an album Live at the Regattabar in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His rendition of “A Night In Tunisia” became the number one requested on many college radio stations throughout the Northeast.

In 1998, Frankie V released his debut solo instrumental pop/smooth jazz album entitled Oceans of Dreams. The album highlighted his original compositions as well as refreshing new versions of tunes such as Amy Grant’s “Arms of Love” and Elton John’s “Your Song”.

In summer 1998, Frankie V toured in the trumpet section with Arturo Sandoval’s Hot House Big Band beginning at the Boston Globe Jazz Festival, passing through the Saratoga Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall and eventually making its way to the Newport Jazz Festival.

Frankie V serves as the trumpet soloist and music director for the Nationally Acclaimed Ryles Jazz Orchestra, the house big band for Boston’s famed Ryles Jazz Club. FV founded the Ryles Jazz Orchestra in 1997, keeping in mind the great tradition of a house big band in a major jazz venue (i.e. the Village Vanguard Band, Thad Jones Mel Lewis, and Birdland Dream Band, to name a few). Throughout the year, the band performs with many guest artists, most recently Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton, Arturo Sandoval, the late Nick Brignola, Jon Faddis and Bill Watrous. In February 2001, the band released its debut recording, a live album entitled Ryles Jazz Orchestra, Live at Ryles featuring Saxophone Great Ed Calle.

In the fall of 1999, FV traveled to London England and Abbey Road Studios, where he was the Associate Producer for the debut recording of the John Williams Trumpet Concerto featuring Arturo Sandoval with the London Symphony Orchestra. The album has received international praise.

In May of 2000 history was made. Two legendary trumpet players, Maynard Ferguson and Arturo Sandoval, along with the Boston Metropolitan Orchestra and Frankie V, performed in a thrilling concert. Frankie V served as artistic director for the event, and performed in the symphony orchestra’s trumpet section. As part of the evening’s events, FV performed on flugelhorn his original composition, “Mi Amiga Mi Amore” with the orchestra, Arturo Sandoval’s rhythm section, and featured Arturo Sandoval on piano. Frankie V also composed the overture for the concert, Summon the Legends; as well as arranged several of the evening’s music for full symphony orchestra.

Frankie V was asked to arrange two Duke Ellington compositions for the San Francisco Symphony with Jon Faddis conducting. The concert took place in June of 2000.

In February 2001 FV released his latest album, entitled Smooth Ride. The album is produced by Grammy Award Winning Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and is a mix of Frankie V’s Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk and Latin Jazz originals. Smooth Ride features Arturo Sandoval on piano, saxophonist Ed Calle makes a special solo appearance; and Arturo Sandoval and Frankie V team up, both on flugelhorn, for two tracks.

In summer 2001, FV was invited to perform in Marbella Spain. He performed with an allstar band with musicians from all over Europe.

He received a Boston Artist Fellow Award in 2002 from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and the Boston Cultural Council in a Ceremony at the Parkman House. The award is in recognition for his performances and concerts and contributions to the community of Boston.

Frankie V served as the music director/trumpet player for Maynard Ferguson’s 75th Birthday Bash featuring the Alumni and Friends Big Band in May of 2003. The allstar evening was filmed for an upcoming DVD.

In 2004, Frankie V was invited to perform and conduct the US Coast Guard Jazz Big Band in a concert that featured FV and trombone great Slide Hampton.

Expanding his musical talents to the movies - Frankie V and his smooth trumpet sounds can be heard opposite Jim Carrey in the movie release “Fun with Dick and Jane”, as well as in the previews in theaters and on TV. The movie hit the theaters in December 2005.

Frankie V has performed with Don Menza, Frank Foster, Ann Margaret, the late Nick Brignola, Clark Terry, Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, Bill Watrous, Slide Hampton, the Late Maynard Ferguson, Nestor Torres, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Ed Calle, Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, the Boston Metropolitan Orchestra, the Orlando Pops Brass, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He has been around the globe performing at such prestigious venues including the Boston Globe Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Saratoga Springs Jazz Festival, Boston Phoenix Jazz Festival, Scullers Jazz Club, the Regattabar, Ryles Jazz Club, Marbella Jazz Series, The Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club, as well as Carnegie Hall.

Frankie V is the author of the book Power Fingers (A collection of exercises and etudes designed to develop and increase finger speed and accuracy).

Frankie V released his Holiday Album, Frankie V "Hip for the Holidays". He recently completed a series of concerts including two sold out shows at the Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club in Miami Beach, Florida.