Foster, Frank
Saxophonist, composer and arranger Frank Foster (1928-2011) helped shape the sound of the New Testament edition of the Count Basie Orchestra, from 1953 to 1964. He composed, arranged, and played for the Basie band following his service in the Korean War. Foster earned his place in jazz history with tunes like “Shiny Stockings”, “Down for the Count”, “Blues Backstage”, “Back to the Apple”, “Discommotion”, and “Blues in Hoss Flat”.
Frank Benjamin Foster III was born into Cincinnati’s African-American middle class and began his musical studies on piano, later picking up the clarinet and the alto saxophone. Within a year, he was playing in a local dance band. Foster started arranginging while still in high school, and attended Wilberforce University before moving to Detriot to pursue a career in music.
Foster played with and arranged for Benny Goodman, Elvin Jones, George Coleman, Joe Farrell, Duke Pearson, Johnny Richards, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and the Thad Jones–Mel Lewis big band. His career also includes stints with The Lloyd Price Orchestra, The Lionel Hampton Orchestra, and The Woody Herman Orchestra. Foster also led the Living Color and Loud Minority Big Bands and toured Europe as a member of Jimmy Smith's quintet in 1985. Foster succeeded Thad Jones as leader of the Basie band in 1986, where he remained until 1995.
After leaving Basie, Foster played in smaller groups, including those led by his wife’s first cousin, the drummer Elvin Jones. The album “Well Water” features Foster and Jones leading the Loud Minority Big Band, with a decidedly modern mind-set. The album includes their take on “Simone,” Mr. Foster’s best-known post-Basie composition.
Foster continued to write and arrange music, even after a stroke left him unable to play the saxophone in 2001. During a 60 year career, he received two Grammy Awards and was nominated for two others. 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 Malaysia Symphony Orchestra, The Metropole Orchestra of Hilversum, Holland, and The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. He is the subject of the 2010 film, Shiny Stockings.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: SIX ARRANGEMENT SET
Recorded and Performed by the Count Basie Orchestra
Six Jazz Big Band Arrangements
Jazz Lines Publications and Sierra Music
CB-1002
$340.00
COUNT BASIE CLASSICS TWELVE ARRANGEMENT SET
Twelve Jazz Big Band Arrangements
Jazz Lines Publications, Alfred Publishing, Lush Life Music, and Studio Music
CB-1000
$670.00
COUNT BASIE JAZZ LINES PUBLICATIONS SERIES: 2024 REVISED TEN CLASSIC ARRANGEMENT SET
Recorded by Count Basie
Ten Jazz Big Band Arrangements
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-1047
$575.00
DUKE PEARSON BIG BAND JAZZ LINES PUBLICATIONS SERIES: SET OF EIGHT ARRANGEMENTS
Recorded by the Duke Pearson Big Band
Eight Jazz Big Band Arrangements
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-1007
$450.00
FRANK FOSTER/COUNT BASIE EIGHT ARRANGEMENT SET
As Performed by Count Basie
Eight Jazz Big Band Arrangements
Jazz Lines Publications and and Lush Life Music
FF-1000
$510.00
Recorded by Count Basie; Brand New 2018 Edition
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-51213
$65.00
Recorded by Count Basie; Brand New 2018 Edition
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-51213DL
$65.00
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As Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-5134
$65.00
BLUE AND SENTIMENTAL [DOWNLOAD]
As Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-5134DL
$65.00
Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-7613
$65.00
Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-7613DL
$65.00
BLUES IN HOSS' FLAT (BLUES IN FRANKIE'S FLAT)
Recorded by Count Basie
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-51215
$65.00
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BLUES IN HOSS' FLAT (BLUES IN FRANKIE'S FLAT) [DOWNLOAD]
Recorded by Count Basie
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-51215DL
$65.00
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Recorded by Count Basie
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-7633DL
$65.00
Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-7448
$65.00
Recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra
Jazz Big Band Arrangement
Jazz Lines Publications
JLP-7448DL
$65.00
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