Frank Foster

Frank Foster (b. 21 September 1928, d. 26 July 2011) was an American tenor and soprano saxophonist, arranger, and composer, who was best known for his work in different periods with the Count Basie orchestra, as well as under his own name. His playing style was influenced by that of John Coltrane, but remained very much his own.

Foster was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and educated at Wilberforce University. In 1949 he played in Detroit with local musicians such as Wardell Gray, and on finishing his military service in 1953 he joined Basie's big band. Aside from his tenor playing, Foster contributed both arrangements and originals to the band's book (his best-known composition being "Shiny Stockings"), and when he left Basie in 1964, he worked as a freelance composer, providing material for such stars as Sarah Vaughan and Frank Sinatra. His time with Basie had also seen him work outside the band, most significantly a session with Thelonious Monk in 1954.

From 1970 to 1972 (and on occasional later dates) he played with Elvin Jones, and in 1972 and 1975 with the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis big band. He has also led small groups, as well as the Living Color and The Loud Minority big bands, with which he toured Europe and Japan. He co-led a quintet with Frank Wess in 1983, and toured Europe as a member of Jimmy Smith's quintet in 1985.

In 1986, Foster succeeded Thad Jones as leader of the Basie band, with which he stayed until 1995, since which he led various small groups and revived The Loud Minority.

Disabled by a stroke since 2001, Frank Foster passed away 26 July 2011 at his home in Chesapeake, Virginia, at the age of 82.



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