Frank Benjamin Foster III (September 23, 1928 – July 26, 2011) was an American

tenor A tenor is a type of classical music, classical male singing human voice, voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The lo ...

and

soprano saxophonist The soprano saxophone is a higher-register variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument invented in the 1840s. The soprano is the third-smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists (from smallest to largest) of the soprillo saxop ...

flautist The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

, arranger, and

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

. Foster collaborated frequently with

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

and worked as a bandleader from the early 1950s.

Profile Profile or profiles may refer to: Art, entertainment and media Music * ''Profile'' (Jan Akkerman album), 1973 * ''Profile'' (Githead album), 2005 * ''Profile'' (Pat Donohue album), 2005 * ''Profile'' (Duke Pearson album), 1959 * '' ''Profi ...

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

; accessed June 21, 2017. In 1998,

Howard University Howard University (Howard) is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commissi ...

awarded Frank Foster with the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award.

Early life and education

Foster was born in

Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located at the northern side of the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, the latter of which marks the state line wit ...

, United States, and educated at

Wilberforce University Wilberforce University is a private historically black university in Wilberforce, Ohio. Affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), it was the first college to be owned and operated by African Americans. It participates in t ...

. In 1949, he moved to

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...

, Michigan, where he joined the local jazz scene, playing with musicians such as

Wardell Gray Wardell Gray (February 13, 1921 – May 25, 1955) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who straddled the swing and bebop periods. Biography Early years Gray was born in Oklahoma City, the youngest of four children. He spent his early chil ...

Career

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, Foster served in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division where he fought alongside (although unknowingly) future collaborator Shawn ‘Thunder’ Wallace. Upon finishing his military service in 1953 he joined

's big band. Foster contributed both arrangements and original compositions to Count Basie's band including the

standard Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object th ...

"Shiny Stockings", and other popular songs such as "Down for the Count", "Blues Backstage", "Back to the Apple", "Discommotion", and "Blues in Hoss' Flat", as well as arrangements for the entire '' Easin' It'' album.DeVeaux, Scott; Kernfeld, Barr
"Foster, Frank (Benjamin, III)"
Oxford Music Online; accessed June 21, 2017.
Piadrum.com; accessed June 21, 2017. From 1970 to 1972 (and on occasional later dates) he played with

Elvin Jones Elvin Ray Jones (September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004) was an American jazz drummer of the post-bop era. Most famously a member of John Coltrane's quartet, with whom he recorded from late 1960 to late 1965, Jones appeared on such widely celebrate ...

, and in 1972 and 1975 with the

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Biography Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, U ...

–

Mel Lewis Melvin Sokoloff (May 10, 1929 – February 2, 1990), known professionally as Mel Lewis, was an American jazz drummer, session musician, professor, and author. He received fourteen Grammy Award nominations. Biography Early years Lewis was ...

big band. Foster was an Artist in Residence at the

New England Conservatory of Music The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a Private college, private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music Music school, conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The ...

in Boston in 1971. That same year, he also started teaching for the New York City Public School System in District 5, Harlem, as part of a team of six professional musicians assigned to the Federal Government's Title I Program: Cultural Enrichment Through Music, Dance, and Song. From 1972 to 1976, Foster was full-time Assistant Professor in the Black Studies Program at the

State University of New York at Buffalo The State University of New York at Buffalo, commonly called the University at Buffalo (UB) and sometimes called SUNY Buffalo, is a public research university with campuses in Buffalo and Amherst, New York. The university was founded in 1846 ...

(SUNY). Foster also formed and lead several groups, most notably Living Color and The Loud Minority. He co-led a quintet with

Frank Wess Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist. In addition to his extensive solo work, Wess is remembered for his time in Count Basie's band from the early 1950s into the 1960s. Critic ...

in 1983, and toured Europe as a member of Jimmy Smith's quintet in 1985. In June 1986, Foster succeeded Thad Jones as leader of the Count Basie Orchestra. While leading the Basie Orchestra, Foster received two

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

s: first for his big-band arrangement of the Diane Schuur composition "Deedles' Blues" (Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal, Jazz category, 1987), and second for his arrangement of guitarist/vocalist George Benson's composition "Basie's Bag" (Best Big Band Instrumental, Jazz category, 1988). After leaving the band in 1995, Foster resumed his leadership of three musical groups: The Non-Electric Company (a jazz quartet/quintet), Swing Plus (a 12-piece band), and The Loud Minority Big Band (an 18-piece concert jazz orchestra), each of which he had organized years prior to assuming leadership of the Basie unit in 1986. Frank Foster suffered a stroke in 2001, that impaired his left side to the extent that he could no longer play the saxophone. After continuing to lead the Loud Minority on limited engagements for much of the 2000s, he turned his leadership responsibilities for the band over to

Cecil Bridgewater Cecil Bridgewater (born October 10, 1942) is an American jazz trumpeter. Biography Bridgewater was born in Urbana, Illinois and studied at the University of Illinois. He and brother Ron formed the Bridgewater Brothers Band in 1969, and in the 197 ...

, a prominent New York City jazz musician. Until his death Foster continued composing and arranging at his home in

Chesapeake, Virginia Chesapeake is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 249,422, it is the second-most populous independent city in Virginia, tenth-largest in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 90th ...

, where he resided with his wife and personal manager of nearly 45 years, Cecilia Foster. He died of kidney failure on July 26, 2011.

Awards and commissions

*Foster received two

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

: the first, for his big band arrangement of the

Diane Schuur Diane Joan Schuur (born December 10, 1953), nicknamed "Deedles", is an American jazz singer and pianist. As of 2015, Schuur had released 23 albums, and had extended her jazz repertoire to include essences of Latin, gospel, pop and country music ...

composition "Deedles' Blues" ( Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal, 1987), and the second for his arrangement of guitarist/vocalist

George Benson George Washington Benson (born March 22, 1943) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career at the age of 19 as a jazz guitarist. A former child prodigy, Benson first came to prominence in the 1960s, pla ...

's composition "Basie's Bag" ( Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band, 1990). He also received two Grammy nominations: for his big band arrangement of

Charles Trenet Louis Charles Augustin Georges Trenet (; 18 May 1913 – 19 February 2001) was a renowned French singer-songwriter who composed both the music and the lyrics to nearly a thousand songs over a career that lasted more than 60 years. These include ...

's composition " Beyond the Sea", and for an album with his fellow Basie alumnus

entitled '' Frankly Speaking'' (

Concord Jazz Concord Jazz is a record company and label founded in 1973 by Carl Jefferson, the former owner of Jefferson Motors Lincoln Mercury dealership in Concord, California. The label was named after the city in the East San Francisco Bay area, and the j ...

, 1985). *He composed and orchestrated material for The Carnegie Hall Jazz Ensemble, The Detroit Civic Symphony Orchestra, The Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble, The Jazzmobile Corporation of New York City, the

Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is an American big band and jazz orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. The Orchestra is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a performing arts organization in New York City. History In 1988 the Orchestra was formed a ...

, The Malaysia Symphony Orchestra, The

Metropole Orchestra The Metropole Orkest (Metropole Orchestra) is a jazz and pop orchestra based in the Netherlands, and is the largest full-time ensemble of its kind in the world. A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz, big band and symphony orchestra. Com ...

Hilversum Hilversum () is a city and municipality in the province of North Holland, Netherlands. Located in the heart of the Gooi, it is the largest urban centre in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller towns. Hilvers ...

, the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. In 1983

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

personally commissioned Frank Foster to orchestrate one of the jazz icon's compositions, "

Con Alma "Con Alma" is a jazz standard written by Dizzy Gillespie, appearing on his 1954 album ''Afro''. The tune incorporates aspects of bebop jazz and Latin rhythm, and is known for its frequent changes in key centers (occurring every two bars), while st ...

", for a scheduled performance and recording with

The London Philharmonic Orchestra The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is one of five permanent symphony orchestras based in London. It was founded by the conductors Sir Thomas Beecham and Malcolm Sargent in 1932 as a rival to the existing London Symphony and BBC Symphony ...

directed by

Robert Farnon Robert Joseph Farnon CM (24 July 191723 April 2005) was a Canadian-born composer, conductor, musical arranger and trumpet player. As well as being a composer of original works (often in the light music genre), he was commissioned by film and ...

. *In 1987, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by

Central State University Central State University (CSU) is a public, historically black land-grant university in Wilberforce, Ohio. It is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Established by the state legislature in 1887 as a two-year program for te ...

in Wilberforce. *In 2002, the

National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal ...

presented Foster with its NEA Jazz Masters Award, the highest honor in jazz. *Foster was commissioned by The Harpers Ferry Historical Association of West Virginia to compose a jazz suite of ten to fifteen minutes' duration in connection with the

Niagara Movement The Niagara Movement (NM) was a black civil rights organization founded in 1905 by a group of activists—many of whom were among the vanguard of African-American lawyers in the United States—led by W. E. B. Du Bois and William Monroe Trotter. ...

, relating to

John Brown John Brown most often refers to: *John Brown (abolitionist) (1800–1859), American who led an anti-slavery raid in Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859 John Brown or Johnny Brown may also refer to: Academia * John Brown (educator) (1763–1842), Ir ...

's famous raid on Harpers Ferry. The suite was performed by the Count Basie Orchestra at

Harpers Ferry Harpers Ferry is a historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia. It is located in the lower Shenandoah Valley. The population was 285 at the 2020 census. Situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, where the U.S. stat ...

as part of the three-day Niagara Movement celebration in August 2006. *

Jazz at Lincoln Center Jazz at Lincoln Center is part of Lincoln Center in New York City. The organization was founded in 1987 and opened at Time Warner Center in October 2004. Wynton Marsalis is the artistic director and the leader of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orches ...

commissioned Foster to compose and arrange music for the

, directed by

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Awar ...

, for performances on March 13–15, 2008, with "A Man and a Woman" as the theme. Foster wrote the words, music, and orchestrations for "I Love You (Based on Your Availability)" and "Romance Without Substance Is a Nuisance", both performed by vocalists Dennis Rowland and

Marlena Shaw Marlena Shaw (born Marlina Burgess, September 22, 1942) is an American jazz, blues and soul music, soul singer. Shaw began her singing career in the 1960s and is still singing today. Her music has often been sampled in Hip hop music, hip hop mus ...

. *On March 20, 2009, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, directed by

Jon Faddis Jon Faddis (born July 24, 1953) is an American jazz trumpet player, conductor, composer, and educator, renowned for both his playing and for his expertise in the field of music education. Upon his first appearance on the scene, he became known ...

, performed a three-part suite by Foster titled "Chi-Town Is My Town and My Town's No Shy Town" at the Harris Theater in Chicago. *In 2009, Foster selected The Jazz Archive at

Duke University Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day city of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco and electric power industrialist James ...

to be the home for his numerous compositions, arrangements, and personal papers.

Humanitarian causes

Foster became a great supporter of The

Jazz Foundation of America The Jazz Foundation of America (JFA) is a non-profit organization based in Manhattan, New York that was founded in 1989. Its programs seek to help jazz and blues musicians in need of emergency funds and connect them with performance opportunitie ...

in their mission to save the homes and the lives of America's elderly jazz and blues musicians including musicians who survived

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was at the time the cost ...

. After receiving help from the Jazz Foundation, he supported the cause by performing in their Annual Benefit Concert "A Great Night in Harlem" in 2008."A Great Night in Harlem"
Blogspot.com (May 2008) He donated his gold-plated tenor sax to be auctioned by the

, the proceeds of which went to support the foundation's non-profit programs, especially working gigs and educational programs for victims of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Discography

As leader

*1953: ''Here Comes Frank Foster: Frank Foster Quintet with Benny Powell'' (

Blue Note In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note that—for expressive purposes—is sung or played at a slightly different pitch from standard. Typically the alteration is between a quartertone and a semitone, but this varies depending on the musical co ...

) *1955: '' Hope Meets Foster'' (

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

) with

Elmo Hope St. Elmo Sylvester Hope (June 27, 1923 – May 19, 1967) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, chiefly in the bebop and hard bop genres. He grew up playing and listening to jazz and classical music with Bud Powell, and both were ...

*1956: ''

No 'Count ''No 'Count'' is an album by saxophonist Frank Foster recorded in 1956 and released on the Savoy label.Basie Is Our Boss'' (

Argo In Greek mythology the ''Argo'' (; in Greek: ) was a ship built with the help of the gods that Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcos to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. The ship has gone on to be used as a motif in a variety of sour ...

) *1965: '' Fearless Frank Foster'' (Prestige) *1966: '' Soul Outing!'' (Prestige) *1968: ''

Manhattan Fever ''Manhattan Fever'' is an album by American jazz saxophonist Frank Foster recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.

'' (Blue Note) *1974: ''

The Loud Minority ''The Loud Minority'' is an album by American saxophonist Frank Foster recorded in 1972 for the Mainstream label.Edwards, D., Callahan, Eyries, P., Watts, R. & Neely, TDiscography of the Mainstream Label (Preview) accessed November 13, 2014 Rece ...

'' (

Mainstream Mainstream may refer to: Film * ''Mainstream'' (film), a 2020 American film Literature * ''Mainstream'' (fanzine), a science fiction fanzine * Mainstream Publishing, a Scottish publisher * ''Mainstream'', a 1943 book by Hamilton Basso Mu ...

) *1976: ''Here and Now'' (

Catalyst Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...

) *1977: ''Shiny Stockings'' ( Denon) *1978: ''Twelve Shades of Black'' ( Leo) *1979: ''Non-Electric Company'' (

EPM Musique EPM Musique is a French record label that was created in 1986 by François Dacla, former president of RCA France. The label specializes in Chanson and its legacy. It is also dedicated to poetry, theater, and children's music. "EPM is a French la ...

) *1982: '' The House That Love Built'' (

SteepleChase Steeplechase may refer to: * Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles * Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...

) *1983: '' Two for the Blues'' (

Pablo Pablo is a Spanish form of the name Paul. People * Pablo Alborán, Spanish singer *Pablo Aimar, Argentine footballer *Pablo Armero, Colombian footballer * Pablo Bartholomew, Indian photojournalist *Pablo Brandán, Argentine footballer * Pablo Bren ...

) with

*1984: '' Frankly Speaking'' (

) with Frank Wess *1985: '' Generations'' (

Muse In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...

) with

Pepper Adams Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III (October 8, 1930 – September 10, 1986) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 42 pieces, was the leader on eighteen albums spanning 28 years, and participated in 600 sessions as a s ...

*1992: ''The Count Basie Orchestra Directed by Frank Foster Live at El Morocco'' (Telarc) *1995: ''A Fresh Taste of Thad Jones and Frank Foster'' (Hänssler Classics) *1996: ''

Leo Rising ''Leo Rising'' is the second and final studio album by American music duo Karmin, released exclusively on Apple Music on September 9, 2016, before being released to all other platforms on September 23, 2016. It is the follow-up to their 2014 maj ...

'' (

Arabesque The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Another definition is "Foli ...

) *1998: ''Swing'' (live) ( Challenge) *2002: ''Live at Feuerwache Mannheim'' (

Bassic Martin "Bassic" Lindhe (born 20 January 1971, Borås, Sweden) is a Swedes, Swedish musician and composer, with a style that blends electronica, Ambient music, ambient and dance music, dance. His music is often progressive and suggestive in natu ...

) *2003: ''We Do It Diff'rent'' (live) ( Mapleshade) *2004: ''Settin' the Pace'' (GJazz) *2005: ''Endless Fingers'' (Arabesque) *2007: ''Well Water'' (Piadrum)

As arranger

* 1961: "Little Man (You've Had a Busy Day)" –

Sarah Vaughan Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "Jazz royalty, The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine ...

with the

Count Basie Orchestra The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era, founded by Count Basie in 1935 and recording regularly from 1936. Despite a brief disbandment at the beginning of the 195 ...

- '' Count Basie/Sarah Vaughan'' (

Roulette Roulette is a casino game named after the French word meaning ''little wheel'' which was likely developed from the Italian game Biribi''.'' In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various groupings of numbers, the ...

) * 1965: Sarah Vaughan – '' ¡Viva! Vaughan'' (Mercury) * 1984: "

Mack the Knife "Mack the Knife" or "The Ballad of Mack the Knife" (german: "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer", italic=no, link=no) is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 music drama ''The Threepenny Opera'' (german: Die Dreig ...

" –

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...

– '' L.A. Is My Lady'' (

Qwest Qwest Communications International, Inc. was a United States telecommunications carrier. Qwest provided local service in 14 western and midwestern U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dako ...

/Warner Bros.) * 1984: " After You've Gone" –

– '' L.A. Is My Lady'' (

/Warner Bros.) * 1985: " Beyond the Sea" –

– ''

20/20 Visual acuity (VA) commonly refers to the clarity of vision, but technically rates an examinee's ability to recognize small details with precision. Visual acuity is dependent on optical and neural factors, i.e. (1) the sharpness of the retinal ...

'' * 1987:

and the Count Basie Orchestra – '' Diane Schuur & the Count Basie Orchestra'' ( GRP) * 1990:

featuring the Count Basie Orchestra –

Big Boss Band ''Big Boss Band'' is the 1990 studio album of George Benson on Warner Bros. featuring the Count Basie Orchestra. This is Benson's second consecutive album which returns to his jazz roots after his successful pop career in the 1980s, and also his d ...

As sideman

With

*'' The Adams Effect'' (Uptown, 1985 988 With

Lorez Alexandria Lorez Alexandria (born Dolorez Alexandria Turner; August 14, 1929 – May 22, 2001). was an American jazz singer, described as "one of the most gifted and underrated jazz singers of the twentieth century". She became established in the midwest b ...

*'' Early in the Morning'' (Argo, 1960) With

* ''

Count Basie and the Kansas City 7 ''Count Basie and the Kansas City 7'' is an album by American jazz bandleader and pianist Count Basie featuring small group performances recorded in 1962 for the Impulse! label.

'' (Impulse 1962) With

* ''

Dance Session ''Dance Session'' is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie recorded in 1953 and became Basie's first 12-inch LP when it was originally released on the Clef label.

'' (

Clef A clef (from French: 'key') is a Musical notation, musical symbol used to indicate which Musical note, notes are represented by the lines and spaces on a musical staff (music), stave. Placing a clef on a stave assigns a particular pitch to ...

, 1953) * '' Dance Session Album #2'' (Clef, 1954) * '' Basie'' (Clef, 1954) * ''

Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings ''Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings'' is an album by pianist/bandleader Count Basie and vocalist Joe Williams recorded in 1955 and originally released on the Clef label.Joe Williams * '' April in Paris'' (

Verve Verve may refer to: Music * The Verve, an English rock band * ''The Verve E.P.'', a 1992 EP by The Verve * ''Verve'' (R. Stevie Moore album) * Verve Records, an American jazz record label Businesses * Verve Coffee Roasters, an American coffee ho ...

, 1956) * ''

The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards ''The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams Sings Standards'' is an album by vocalist Joe Williams and pianist/bandleader Count Basie and His Orchestra recorded in 1956 and released on the Verve label.Metronome All-Stars 1956 ''Metronome All-Stars 1956'' was the final album by the Metronome All-Stars, a loose amalgamation of musicians representing winners of ''Metronome'' magazine's annual poll. This 1956 release contains four tracks documenting the first collaborati ...

'' (Clef, 1956) with

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

and Joe Williams * ''

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

'' (Verve, 1956

959 Year 959 ( CMLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * April - May – The Byzantines refuse to pay the yearly tribute. A Hungari ...

* ''

Basie in London ''Basie in London'' is a 1956 live album by Count Basie and his orchestra, recorded (despite the inaccurate album title) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Track listing # "Jumpin' at the Woodside" (Count Basie, Jon Hendricks) – 3:38 # "Shiny Stockin ...

'' (Verve, 1956) * ''

One O'Clock Jump "One O'Clock Jump" is a jazz standard, a 12-bar blues instrumental, written by Count Basie in 1937. Background The melody derived from band members' riffs—Basie rarely wrote down musical ideas, so Eddie Durham and Buster Smith helped him cry ...

'' (1957) * ''

Count Basie at Newport ''Count Basie at Newport'' is a live album by jazz musician Count Basie and his orchestra. It was originally issued as Verve MGV 8243 and included only the tracks 1-7 and 13. Tracks 9-12 originally included in ''Count Basie & Joe Williams/Dizzy G ...

'' (Verve, 1957) * '' The Atomic Mr. Basie'' (Roulette, 1957) aka ''Basie'' and ''E=MC²'' * ''

Sing Along with Basie ''Sing Along with Basie'' is an album by vocalese jazz group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross with Joe Williams and the Count Basie Orchestra recorded in 1958 and originally released on the Roulette label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography Retrieved Nov ...

'' (Roulette, 1958) with Joe Williams and

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Lambert, Hendricks & Ross were an American vocalese trio formed by jazz vocalists Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross. From 1962 to 1964, Ross was replaced by vocalist Yolande Bavan. History The group formed in 1957 and recorded their f ...

* '' Breakfast Dance and Barbecue'' (Roulette, 1959) * ''

Everyday I Have the Blues "Every Day I Have the Blues" is a blues song that has been performed in a variety of styles. An early version of the song is attributed to Pinetop Sparks and his brother Milton. It was first performed in the taverns of St. Louis by the Spark ...

'' (Roulette, 1959) with Joe Williams * ''

Dance Along with Basie ''Dance Along with Basie'' is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in late 1959 and originally released on the Roulette label. Reception The album won the Best Performance by a Band for Da ...

'' (Roulette, 1959) * ''

Not Now, I'll Tell You When ''Not Now, I'll Tell You When'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in 1960 and originally released on the Roulette Records, Roulette label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography - 1960-1969 accessed November 3, ...

'' (Roulette, 1960) * ''

The Count Basie Story ''Count Basie Story'' is a double album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks originally performed by his orchestra in the 1930s and 1940s rerecorded in 1960 as a celebration of its 25th anniversary and first released on ...

'' (Roulette, 1960) * ''

Kansas City Suite ''Kansas City Suite'' (subtitled ''The Music of Benny Carter'') is an album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in 1960 and originally released on the Roulette label.Kitora, R.Count Basie Discography - 1960-1 ...

'' (Roulette, 1960) * '' The Legend'' (Roulette, 1961) * ''

Back with Basie ''Back with Basie'' (subtitled ''More Hit Performances of the '60s'') is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks recorded in 1962 (with one from 1960) and originally released on the Roulette label.Kitora, ...

'' (Roulette, 1962) * ''

On My Way & Shoutin' Again! ''On My Way & Shoutin' Again!'' is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring compositions by Neal Hefti recorded in 1962 and originally released on the Verve label.This Time by Basie! ''This Time by Basie'' (subtitled ''Hits of the 50's & 60's'') is an album released by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring jazz versions of contemporary hits recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Reprise label. Recept ...

'' (

Reprise In music, a reprise ( , ; from the verb 'to resume') is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the 18th century—was simply any repe ...

, 1963) * ''

More Hits of the 50's and 60's More or Mores may refer to: Computing * MORE (application), outline software for Mac OS * more (command), a shell command * MORE protocol, a routing protocol * Missouri Research and Education Network Music Albums * ''More!'' (album), by Booka ...

'' (Verve, 1963) * '' The Board of Directors'' (Dot, 1967) with

The Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed the Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as the Four Kings of Harmony, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies an ...

With

* '' Body Talk'' ( CTI, 1973) * ''

'' (Warner Bros., 1990) With

Kenny Burrell Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American jazz guitarist known for his work on numerous top jazz labels: Prestige, Blue Note, Verve, CTI, Muse, and Concord. His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 ...

* '' Kenny Burrell Volume 2'' (Blue Note, 1956) * '' Swingin''' (Blue Note, 1956 el. 1980 With

Donald Byrd Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz and rhythm & blues trumpeter and vocalist. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd was one of the few hard bop m ...

* ''

Byrd's Word ''Byrd's Word'' is an album by trumpeter Donald Byrd recorded in 1955 and released on the Savoy Records, Savoy label.

'' (

Savoy Savoy (; frp, Savouè ; french: Savoie ) is a cultural-historical region in the Western Alps. Situated on the cultural boundary between Occitania and Piedmont, the area extends from Lake Geneva in the north to the Dauphiné in the south. Savo ...

, 1955) * '' All Day Long'' (Prestige, 1957) * ''

Fancy Free Fancy Free may refer to: Music * Fancy Free (Donald Byrd album), ''Fancy Free'' (Donald Byrd album) (1969) * Fancy Free (Richard Davis album), ''Fancy Free'' (Richard Davis album) (1977) * Fancy Free (The Oak Ridge Boys album), ''Fancy Free'' (Th ...

'' (Blue Note, 1970) * '' Electric Byrd'' (Blue Note, 1970) * '' Kofi'' (Blue Note, 1971) With Earl Coleman * ''Manhattan Serenade'' (1968) With

Matthew Gee Matthew Gee (November 25, 1925 in Houston, Texas – July 18, 1979 in New York City) was an American bebop trombonist and part-time actor. Gee played trumpet and baritone as a child, and took up the trombone at age 11. After studying at Alabama ...

* ''

Jazz by Gee ''Jazz by Gee'' is the debut album by American jazz trombonist Matthew Gee featuring tracks recorded in 1956 for the Riverside label.

'' (Riverside, 1956) With

Bennie Green Bennie Green (April 16, 1923 – March 23, 1977) was an American jazz trombonist. Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Green worked in the orchestras of Earl Hines and Charlie Ventura, and recorded as bandleader through the 1950s and ...

and

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

* ''

The Swingin'est ''The Swingin'est'' is an album by American trombonist Bennie Green and saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1958 and released on the Vee-Jay label.

'' (VeeJay 1958) With

Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...

*'' The Saxophone Section'' (World Wide, 1958) With

Eddie Higgins Edward Haydn Higgins (February 21, 1932 – August 31, 2009) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and orchestrator. His performance and composition in 1959's " Cry of Jazz" is preserved in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry. Bi ...

*''

'' (Vee-Jay, 1961) With

* ''

Trio and Quintet ''Trio and Quintet'' is an album by jazz pianist Elmo Hope which compiles sessions recorded in 1953, originally released as a 10" LP titled ''Elmo Hope Trio'', and 1954, originally released as a 10" LP titled ''Elmo Hope Quintet, Volume 2'', for t ...

'' (Blue Note, 1954) * '' Homecoming!'' (Riverside, 1961) With

Milt Jackson Milton Jackson (January 1, 1923 – October 9, 1999), nicknamed "Bags", was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms. He is especially remembered for his cool swinging solo ...

* '' Plenty, Plenty Soul'' (Atlantic, 1957) With

Illinois Jacquet Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet (October 30, 1922 – July 22, 2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo. Although he was a pioneer of t ...

* '' The Soul Explosion'' (Prestige, 1969) With

* ''

Elvin! ''Elvin!'' is a jazz album by drummer Elvin Jones recorded in 1961 and 1962 and released on the Riverside label.

'' (Riverside, 1961–62) * '' Heavy Sounds'' with Richard Davis (

Impulse! Impulse! Records (occasionally styled as "¡mpulse! Records" and "¡!") is an American jazz record company and label established by Creed Taylor in 1960. John Coltrane was among Impulse!'s earliest signings. Thanks to consistent sales and positiv ...

, 1967) * ''

Coalition A coalition is a group formed when two or more people or groups temporarily work together to achieve a common goal. The term is most frequently used to denote a formation of power in political or economical spaces. Formation According to ''A Gui ...

'' (Blue Note, 1970) * ''

Genesis Genesis may refer to: Bible * Book of Genesis, the first book of the biblical scriptures of both Judaism and Christianity, describing the creation of the Earth and of mankind * Genesis creation narrative, the first several chapters of the Book of ...

'' (Blue Note, 1971) * ''

Merry-Go-Round A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (List of sovereign states, international), roundabout (British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in South Australia, SA) is a type of amusement ...

'' (Blue Note, 1971) * ''

At This Point in Time ''At This Point in Time'' is an album by an eleven-piece band led by jazz drummer Elvin Jones that was recorded in 1973 and released in 1998. Track listing # "At This Point in Time" (Frank Foster) – 7:34 # "Currents/Pollen" (Gene Perla, Don Gar ...

'' (Blue Note, 1973) * '' New Agenda'' (

Vanguard The vanguard (also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. History The vanguard derives fr ...

, 1975) * '' The Main Force'' (Vanguard, 1976) * ''

Time Capsule A time capsule is a historic cache of goods or information, usually intended as a deliberate method of communication with future people, and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians. The preservation of holy relics dates ba ...

'' (Vanguard, 1977) * '' Elvin Jones Music Machine'' (Mark Levison, 1978) * '' Live in Japan 1978: Dear John C.'' (Trio (Japan), 1978) * '' Elvin Jones Jazz Machine Live in Japan Vol. 2'' (Trio (Japan), 1978) * '' Live at the Village Vanguard Volume One'' (

Landmark A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible from long distances. In modern use, the term can also be applied to smaller structures or f ...

, 1984''With

Jimmy McGriff James Harrell McGriff (April 3, 1936 – May 24, 2008) was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader. Biography Early years and influences Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Germantown, Pennsylvania, Uni ...

With

Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (born March 14, 1933) is an American record producer, musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spans 70 years in the entertainment industry with a record of 80 Grammy Award n ...

* '' Golden Boy'' (Mercury, 1964) With

*''

Mad Thad ''Mad Thad'' is a Hardbop jazz album by Thad Jones recorded in 1957 for Period Records. Track listing # Whisper Not ( Benny Golson) – 5:35 # Quiet Sip (Thad Jones) – 9:01 # Ballad Medley: #* Flamingo ( Ted Grouya, Edmund Anderson) – 1 ...

(Period, 1956) With

Ronnie Mathews Ronald Mathews (December 2, 1935 in New York City – June 28, 2008 in Brooklyn) was an American jazz pianist who worked with Max Roach from 1963 to 1968 and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He acted as lead in recording from 1963 and 1978–79. His ...

*'' Roots, Branches & Dances'' (

Bee Hive A beehive is an enclosed structure in which some honey bee species of the subgenus '' Apis'' live and raise their young. Though the word ''beehive'' is commonly used to describe the nest of any bee colony, scientific and professional literature ...

, 1978) With

* ''

The Big Band ''The Big Band'' (rereleased as ''The Big Band: A Tribute to Basie'') is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy McGriff featuring performances recorded in 1966 and originally released on the Solid State Records (jazz label), Solid State label.Pa ...

'' ( Solid State, 1966) With

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", "B ...

* ''

Monk A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...

'' (Prestige 1954) With Joe Newman * '' The Count's Men'' (Jazztone, 1955) * ''

I Feel Like a Newman ''I Feel Like a Newman'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Joe Newman recorded in 1956 and originally released on the Storyville label.Storyville, 1956) * '' Good 'n' Groovy'' (Prestige Swingville, 1961) With Horace Parlan * ''

Frank-ly Speaking ''Frank-ly Speaking'' is an album by American jazz pianist Horace Parlan featuring performances recorded in the U.S. in 1977 and released on the Danish-based SteepleChase label.

'' (SteepleChase 1977) With

Duke Pearson Columbus Calvin "Duke" Pearson Jr. (August 17, 1932 – August 4, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer. ''Allmusic'' describes him as having a "big part in shaping the Blue Note label's hard bop direction in the 1960s as a record produ ...

* '' Introducing Duke Pearson's Big Band'' (Blue Note 1967) * '' Now Hear This'' (Blue Note 1968) * ''

It Could Only Happen with You ''It Could Only Happen with You'' is the final album by American pianist and arranger Duke Pearson featuring performances recorded in 1970 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1974.

'' (Blue Note 1970) ;With

Hilton Ruiz Hilton Ruiz (May 29, 1952 – June 6, 2006) was an American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player. He was of Puerto Rican descent. Biography Born in New York City, Ruiz began playing piano at the age of f ...

*''

Excition ''Excition'' is an album by pianist Hilton Ruiz recorded in 1977 and released on the Danish label SteepleChase. Reception The AllMusic review by Ken Dryden states "''Excition'' is a strong example of Ruiz's ability as both a performer and arran ...

'' (SteepleChase, 1977) *''

Steppin' Into Beauty ''Steppin' Into Beauty'' is an album by pianist Hilton Ruiz, collecting performances recorded in 1977 at the sessions that produced '' Excition'' and ''New York Hilton'', which was released on the Danish label SteepleChase in 1982. Track lis ...

'' (SteepleChase, 1977

982 Year 982 ( CMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Emperor Otto II (the Red) assembles an imperial expeditionary force at Tar ...

With

Woody Shaw Woody Herman Shaw Jr. (December 24, 1944 – May 10, 1989) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, arranger, band leader, and educator. Shaw is widely known as one of the most important and influential jazz trumpet ...

* ''

The Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble at the Berliner Jazztage ''The Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble at the Berliner Jazztage'' is a live album led by trumpeter Woody Shaw which was recorded at the JazzFest Berlin in 1976 and released on the Muse label.Muse In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the Muses ( grc, Μοῦσαι, Moûsai, el, Μούσες, Múses) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the ...

, 1976) With

Mickey Tucker Mickey Tucker (born Michael B. Tucker; April 28, 1941) is an American jazz pianist and organist. Biography Tucker was born in Durham, North Carolina in 1941. He grew up in Rankin, Pennsylvania before moving back to North Carolina aged 12. When h ...

* '' Mister Mysterious'' (Muse, 1978) With

Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (born Edward L. Vinson Jr.; December 18, 1917 – July 2, 1988) was an American jump blues, jazz, bebop and R&B alto saxophonist and blues shouter. He was nicknamed Cleanhead after an incident in which his hair was ...

*''

Clean Head's Back in Town ''Clean Head's Back in Town'', subtitled ''Eddie Vinson Sings'', is an album by the American saxophonist and vocalist Eddie Vinson, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Recorded in 1957, it was released by Bethlehem Records.George Wallington George Wallington (October 27, 1924 – February 15, 1993) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Early life Wallington was born Giacinto Figlia (some sources give "Giorgio") in Sicily, and then moved to the United States (New York) with ...

* ''

Showcase Showcase or vitrine may refer to: *Cabinet (furniture) *Display case Music * ''Showcase'' (Bill Anderson album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Patsy Cline album), 1961 * ''Showcase'' (Buddy Holly album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Philly Joe Jones album), 1959 ...

'' (Blue Note 1954) With

Cedar Walton Cedar Anthony Walton Jr. (January 17, 1934 – August 19, 2013) was an American hard bop jazz pianist. He came to prominence as a member of drummer Art Blakey's band, The Jazz Messengers, before establishing a long career as a bandleader and com ...

* ''

Mobius Moebius, Möbius or Mobius may refer to: People * August Ferdinand Möbius (1790–1868), German mathematician and astronomer * Theodor Möbius (1821–1890), German philologist * Karl Möbius (1825–1908), German zoologist and ecologist * Pau ...

'' (

RCA The RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded as the Radio Corporation of America in 1919. It was initially a patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse, AT&T Corporation and United Fruit Comp ...

, 1975) With

Julius Watkins Julius Watkins (October 10, 1921 – April 4, 1977) was an American jazz musician who played French horn. Described by AllMusic as "virtually the father of the jazz French horn", Watkins won the ''Down Beat'' critics poll in 1960 and 1961 for Mi ...

* ''

Julius Watkins Sextet ''Julius Watkins Sextet'' is a CD by horn player Julius Watkins featuring tracks recorded in 1954 and 1955 which were originally released as two 10 inch LPs (BLP 5053, 5064) on the Blue Note label.Smith, P. GJulius Watkins and the Evolution of the ...

'' (Blue Note, 1954) With

* '' North, South, East....Wess'' (Savoy 1956) * ''Surprise, Surprise'' (

Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro ( , ; ), in art, is the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians for the use of contrasts of light to achi ...

, 1996)

References

External links

Frank Foster bio-documentary "Shiny Stockings"Frank Foster Papers
Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University
Foster's Entry in All About JazzSmithsonian Institution Oral History Interview with Frank Foster (1998)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Frank 1928 births 2011 deaths Musicians from Cincinnati Big band bandleaders Big band saxophonists American jazz flautists Swing saxophonists Bebop saxophonists Hard bop saxophonists Progressive big band bandleaders American music arrangers Grammy Award winners Wilberforce University alumni Count Basie Orchestra members Savoy Records artists Challenge Records artists Blue Note Records artists SteepleChase Records artists Mainstream Records artists Deaths from kidney failure Progressive big band musicians Mapleshade Records artists

Early life and education

Career

Awards and commissions

Humanitarian causes

Discography

As leader

As arranger

As sideman

See also

References

External links