|
ASCAP Jazz Wall Inductees 2006
 |
ASCAP Jazz Living Legend Award
Frank Foster, Cincinnati-born tenor and soprano saxophonist Frank Foster was a long-time force in the Count Basie Band as a player, arranger and, following Basie's passing, as leader. Foster's professional career, following studies at Wilberforce University, began in Detroit in 1949, where he performed with Elvin Jones and Wardell Gray Interrupted by service in the Army, Foster returned to the scene as a member of Basie's big band in 1953, where his playing and arranging were crucial. Among the songs composed by Foster for the band were "Down for the Count," "Blues Backstage," and the standard "Shiny Stockings," which has been recorded by scores of artists. In 1964, Foster left the Basie orchestra for free-lance work as a composer and arranger, working with such performers as Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. Later Foster performance and recording collaborations include bands with Elvin Jones, Frank Wess, Jimmie Smith and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band. Foster returned to head the Basie Band from 1985 to 1995. Since leaving the Basie organization, Frank Foster has kept busy with a broad range of small band work and jazz education activities.. In addition to his long teaching tenure with the Jazzmobile organization, Frank has taught at the State University of New York in Buffalo, and at Queens College.
|
