Ferenc Látó (stage name: Frankie Lato) was born on 10th June, 1971. He comes from musicians' families both on his mother and father's side. The musical history of his family can be traced back to the 1800's and encyclopaedias, awards and recordings verify the unique musical abilities of his ancestors. His first encounters with music were a mixture of classical and gipsy music from his father's side and popular and jazz music from his mother's side. His father has been a member of the Szeged Philharmonic Orchestra sicne 1969.

He started his musical studies with Béla Stanics (former director of Liszt Fernc Music School in Szeged) in 1975. His father also kept an eye on his his progress. He decided to dedicate his life to music and performing on stage when he came second in his first significant concert (Koncz János Violin Concerto, Szombathely, 1983).

At the beginning of the 1980's he used to attend summer music camps where special Bach-courses were held by István Ruha. He gained admission to Szeged Conservatoire and to Tömörkény István Music School majoring in Violin. By this time he became greatly experienced in giving concerts and by 1987 he owned numerous music awards. He joined Hóra-Group the same year and played Hungarian and Balkan folk music. The group also accompanied ÉDOSZ Dance Group in Szeged between 1987 and 1989. Frankie Lato got to France on a tour with the group.

Paris was a turning point in his life. He joined the Boulougne Conservatoire and College in 1989 and remained there until 1992. During this time he performed in restaurants and jazz clubs. It was the time when he became interested in improvisative music.

In 1991 he met jazz-violinist Didier Lockwood, the favourite student of the famous Stephane Grappelli. Thus, he could learn the ins and outs of jazz-violin second hand. He, apart from short periods, spent these years in France, which he has considered his second home ever since. He regularly performed at Trois-Maillets (a Parisian bar), where his violin skills were inspired by excellent South American musicians.

He started Frankie Látó Quartet in 1993 and had an opportunity to introduce swing-violin in Hungary. It also marked his first step towards his own style.

His first jazz-rock CD with Gén Group came out in 1995, featuring own compositions. He has been contributing to jazz albums and concerts both at home and outside Hungary. He has worked with such excellent musicians as Joe Murányi, Dave Samuels, Sam Rivers, and Mike Stern.
His credo is following the style represented by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli (the 'Hot Club de France' of French origins from the 1920's) and mixing the 'old school' swing and modern jazz on five-string violin.