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Mick Foster

Mick Foster is a saxophonist, woodwind player and composer, and is especially known as a baritone and bass saxophonist.  He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and has since worked extensively in the fields of jazz, commercial and classical music.  He has played with many ensembles such as the big bands of John Dankworth, Stan Sulzmann and Mike Garrick, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Swing Out Sister, The Back To Basie Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. 

Mick currently plays with his own quartet and quintet, Alan Barnes’ +11 project, Jim Rattigan’s ensemble Pavillon and is a long standing member of The London Jazz Orchestra. He also regularly works with Tony Jacobs, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Other notable jazz musicians that Mick has worked with include Dame Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth, Trudy Kerr, Mark Lockheart, Guy Barker, Laura Jurd, Digby Fairweather and the Humphrey Lyttelton Band.  Mick has recorded three albums under his own name and is in demand as a session musician, having played for many film and TV soundtracks including Prometheus, Vice, Don’t Look Up and Downton Abbey. 

As a composer Mick has written for various ensembles which include the London Jazz Orchestra, Quartz Saxophone Quartet, Docklands Sinfonia and Onyx Brass as well as his own jazz groups.  His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and he has pieces published by Saxtet Publications; some are included on both the ABRSM and Trinity College exams syllabuses. 


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“Foster himself is a bright, imaginative soloist who exploits his instrument’s grainy, fruity charms perfectly, and his choice of material is impeccable. If you like your jazz warm, tasteful and elegant, without grandstanding [...] this is for you.”

— Chris Parker, London Jazz Blogspot, (Four Views)

 

"...a master of the baritone saxophone with an obvious debt to Gerry Mulligan [...] His rich baritone sound and positive refined playing come over superbly on this very well recorded disc which features a popular selection of well loved melodic tunes.
Mick Foster deserves every success with this very enjoyable production, therapy for overworked ears.”

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John Surman
saxophone
Serge Chaloff
saxophone, baritone
Paul Desmond
saxophone, alto
Lee Konitz
saxophone, alto
Gerry Mulligan
saxophone, baritone
Charlie Parker
saxophone, alto
Art Pepper
saxophone, alto
Kenny Wheeler
flugelhorn

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