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David Foster

Before he became one of the most successful record producers in history — creating albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions — David Foster received a valuable piece of advice from legendary music impresario Quincy Jones. “He said to me, ‘If something isn’t exactly the way you think it should be, don’t put your name on it,’” Foster recalls. “His words of advice had a great impact on me, and since then I’ve always fought for my artistic vision. I don’t always win, but I know when an artist hires me, it’s my job to push them toward greatness, and to get something out of them they didn’t know was there. My personal motto has become, ‘compromise breeds mediocrity.’”

This philosophy has shaped the way Foster has approached everything in his more than four decades as a musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, and recording artist. It is the reason why superstars like Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, and Stevie Wonder have trusted him with their voices and to help them realize their musical dreams.

Indeed, few other songwriters and producers have had their fingerprints on more major moments in all of popular music. Foster has created hit songs and award-winning gold and platinum albums for a diverse array of artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs, and Gloria Estefan; propelled singers who have straddled both pop and classical styles like Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, into the mainstream; created culture-defining soundtracks for blockbuster films like The Bodyguard, Urban Cowboy, and St. Elmo’s Fire; and crafted timeless holiday classics, including perennial best-sellers like Josh Groban’s Noel, Michael Bublé’s Christmas, Celine Dion’s These Are Special Times, Rod Stewart’s Merry Christmas Baby, and Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas.

For his illustrious work, Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and racked up three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song.” In June 2010, he was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame. He has also earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé, the later two he signed to his Warner Music imprint 143 Records. Bublé has called Foster “one of the most brilliant musical minds of our time.” Celine Dion says, “David hears things no other person hears,” while Josh Groban credits him with “single-handedly changing my life.” Says Foster, “I operate under the guiding principle that if I love something, millions of others will love it, too.”

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Event

The One and Only Hit-Man David Foster and Friends Returns to Mandalay Bay Events Center October 15

The One and Only Hit-Man David Foster and Friends Returns to Mandalay Bay Events Center October 15

Source: 1888 Media

GRAMMY(R) Winning Producer, Writer and Showman Lines Up Seal, Ne-Yo, Martina McBride, Donna Summer, Charice, Natalie Cole, Gary Wright, Chaka Khan, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton, Ruben Studdard, Earth, Wind & Fire and Surprise Guests Los Angeles: Award-winning showman David Foster, whose recent 10-city Foster & Friends Tour was an extraordinary success nationwide, will return to the Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. for an extraordinary evening of music. Foster, who gives new meaning to The Beatles ...

102

Recording

Grammy Award-Winning Producer David Foster Releases CD+DVD

Grammy Award-Winning Producer David Foster Releases CD+DVD

Source: On Target Media Group

Uber songwriter / producer and 15-time Grammy winner David Foster assembled an all-star lineup for Hit Man: David Foster and Friends, released this November via 143 / Reprise (Warner Bros.). The stunning collection of artists performed a one-night only show in Las Vegas last spring, which honored his hugely successful four-decade career. The result is the CD / DVD Hit Man: David Foster and Friends, with stand-out performances by Kenny G, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Katharine ...

88

Obituary

Jest Finite: David Foster Wallace, 1962-2008

Jest Finite: David Foster Wallace, 1962-2008

Source: Night Lights Classic Jazz

David Foster Wallace, the writer who reinvigorated the long-essay form to depict the wide, strange breadth of modern life, and who created a landmark in contemporary American fiction with his novel Infinite Jest, has died at the age of 46. He committed suicide Friday night at his home in California. Wallace was a favorite of many young musicians and writers that I know, and some tributes have already appeared in the jazz blogosphere: Darcy James Argue writes of the inspiration ...

152

Music Industry

Nashville Jazz Artist Jaimee Paul Showcases for David Foster

Nashville Jazz Artist Jaimee Paul Showcases for David Foster

Source: All About Jazz

Nashville, TN jazz artist, Jaimee Paul, has recently showcased for David Foster with a private showcase at Ellendale's, the local restaurant that she performs at on a weekly basis. Being known for it's traditional country and gospel roots, Nashville is the home of all types of music, including jazz, and can be known to pull a rabbit or two out of it's hat at any given moment. Jaimee had been out to L.A. three separate times on suggestion of contacts ...

88

Event

Producer David Foster And Jazz Vocalist Shirley Horn To Be Honored At Berklee Commencement

Producer David Foster And Jazz Vocalist Shirley Horn To Be Honored At Berklee Commencement

Source: All About Jazz

BOSTON, April 12, 2002 -- Two musicians who have made indelible contributions to the field of popular music will receive honorary Doctor of Music degrees from Berklee College of Music. Hit record producer David Foster and legendary jazz vocalist Shirley Horn will be honored at Berklee’s 2002 Commencement, Saturday, May 11, at the Reggie Lewis Track Center in Boston. Foster will deliver the Commencement Address to approximately 600 graduates and 3,000 guests.

The evening before commencement, students will present a ...

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