Photo: Tom Pich, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Saxophonists · 1928–2011

Frank Foster

American jazz musician and bandleader (1928–2011)

Born: 21 September 1928
Cincinnati
Died: 26 July 2011
Chesapeake
Country: United States
Record labels: Blue Note, Challenge Records
Discography: 18 albums

Biography

Frank Foster was a jazz musician who played saxophone, flute and tenor saxophone. Frank Foster was born on 21 September 1928 in Cincinnati and died on 26 July 2011 in Chesapeake. The music is usually filed under jazz and swing. Record labels: Blue Note and Challenge Records. The discography here lists 18 albums, from “No Count” (1956) to “Well Water” (2007). Honours include Grammy Awards (1987) and NEA Jazz Masters.

Frank Benjamin Foster III (September 23, 1928 – July 26, 2011) was an American tenor and soprano saxophonist, flautist, arranger, and composer. Foster collaborated frequently with Count Basie and worked as a bandleader from the early 1950s. In 1998, Howard University awarded Frank Foster with the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

No Count 1956

Basie Is Our Boss 1963

Fearless Frank Foster 1966

Soul Outing! 1966

Manhattan Fever 1968

The Loud Minority 1974

Giant Steps 1975

Here and Now 1976

Bursting Out! 1978

A Blues Ain't Nothing but a Trip 1981 · Live

Frankly Speaking 1985

The Frank Foster Non Electric Company 1987 · Live

A Tribute to Thad Jones 1995

A Fresh Taste of the Blues 1996

Leo Rising 1997

Live at Feuerwache Mannheim 1997 · Live

A Fresh Taste of Thad Jones and Frank Foster 2006

Well Water 2007

Also plays on

Albums where Frank Foster is credited as a sideman

1957	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book — Ella Fitzgerald	tenor saxophone
1957	Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book, Volume 2 — Ella Fitzgerald	tenor saxophone
1959	Welcome to the Club — Nat King Cole	tenor saxophone
1961	Genius + Soul = Jazz — Ray Charles	tenor saxophone
1961	First Time! The Count Meets the Duke — Duke Ellington and Count Basie	tenor saxophone
1961	I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face — Tony Bennett, Al Tornello	tenor saxophone
1963	Ella and Basie! — Ella Fitzgerald & The Count Basie Orchestra	alto saxophone
1964	It Might as Well Be Swing — Frank Sinatra, Count Basie And His Orchestra	reeds
1965	A Man and His Music — Frank Sinatra	reeds
1984	L.A. Is My Lady — Frank Sinatra with Quincy Jones and His Orchestra	arranger

Standards written by Frank Foster

Title	Key	Form	Groove
Shiny Stockings	F major	ABAC · 32	Medium swing
Little Chicago Fire	B♭ major	AABA · 32	Up-tempo swing
Simone	D minor	A · 24	Jazz waltz

Awards

1987 Grammy Awards
NEA Jazz Masters

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Frank Foster play?

Frank Foster is known for playing saxophone, flute and tenor saxophone.

When and where was Frank Foster born?

Frank Foster was born 21 September 1928 in Cincinnati.

What are Frank Foster's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include No Count (1956), Basie Is Our Boss (1963), Fearless Frank Foster (1966), Soul Outing! (1966) and Manhattan Fever (1968).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.