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Gary Foster

An excellent, cool-toned straight-ahead altoist influenced by Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, Gary Foster's years in the studios have often been underrated despite his talents. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 and soon settled in the Los Angeles area, where he has been active ever since in the studios, as a woodwind teacher, and in big bands, including those of Clare Fischer (since 1965), Louie Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi (in the 1970s), and the Marty Paich Dek-tette. Foster also played often with Warne Marsh, Laurindo Almeida, and Jimmy Rowles; recorded with Cal Tjader, Poncho Sanchez, and Mel Tormé; and led sessions of his own for Revelation (four records during 1968-1985) and Concord. Source: Scott Yanow

Gary Foster & Putter Smith: Perfect Circularity

Read "Perfect Circularity" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone

by Michael P. Gladstone
January 5, 2008

Duo albums occasionally present a most vulnerable side of jazz artists. In the case of woodwind specialist Gary Foster and veteran bassist Putter Smith, the opportunity is much more of a challenge than a threat. Foster, who has graced many jazz records over several decades, has rarely recorded under his own leadership, with four releases in the 1960s for the Revelation label and one for Concord in 1991. Foster's work was notable in the big bands of Toshiko Akiyoshi, Clare ...

Video / DVD

Mark Turner + Gary Foster

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
June 25, 2019

Seventy years ago, on March 4, 1949, cool jazz was recorded for the first time. Given a mandate to record whatever new jazz was important, Pete Rugolo, Capitol's head of A&R, brought the Lennie Tristano Sextet into the studio to tape two songs—Wow and Crosscurrent. The music by Lee Konitz (as), Warne Marsh (ts), Lennie Tristano (p), Billy Bauer (g), Arnold Fishkin (b) and Harold Granowsky (d) featured the reeds playing bone dry (with zero vibrato), high on the upper ...
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288

Performance / Tour

New Jazz Venue: Upstairs at Vitello's Studio City

Source: All About Jazz
February 14, 2009

Vocalist/promoter AprilWilliams, who has presented a weekly jazz night at the Wine Bistro and Down Beat Entertainment jazz fundraisers for Symphony In The Glen, is adding another venue to her lineup. Upstairs at Vitello’s is a custom-built listening room over Vitello’s Italian Restaurant in Studio City; it is called the “Upstairs Room”. Williams describes it as “like a Vegas lounge, with great sound, lights and stage and there is not a bad seat in the house.” Local musicians say this ...
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137

Recording

Jim Self with Strings "InnerPlay" (Basset Hound Records) featuring Gary Foster, Pete Christlieb and Dan Higgins

Source: All About Jazz
October 20, 2005

October 20, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Jim Self with Strings “InnerPlay" What the critics are saying about Jim Self's new CD “InnerPlay" (Basset Hound Records) featuring Gary Foster, Pete Christlieb and Dan Higgins. Awesome sound of Jazz Tuba and Strings! (You will never again think of the tuba as an “oompah" instrument--in Jim Self's hands it is gorgeou sand fluid--as melodic as Gerry Mulligan or Bob Brookmeyer) Brad Dechter's arrangements are special! ...
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