Frank Foster Memorial Celebration in Harlem This Friday
Musicians to pay tribute to the late saxophonist, composer and educator
Jazz artists, friends and fans of saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader and educator Frank Foster will pay tribute to the recently deceased musician at a birthday memorial celebration on Friday, September 23, at 6:00 pm, at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Place (formerly West 138th Street) in Harlem, on what would have been Dr. Foster’s 83rd birthday. The service will be officiated by Abyssinian’s Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III.
Tributes will be presented by Jimmy Heath, Carmen Bradford, Cecil Bridgewater, Frank Wess, Harold Mabern Jr. and others.
Foster was best known for his mainstream big band work as a tenor saxophonist
and composer/arranger with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1953-1964. He also performed as a leader and with ith numerous musicians, including Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Dr. Billy Taylor, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Wess, Billie Holiday, Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt.
Dr. Foster passed away at home on July 26, 2011, at the age of 82. Memorial donations can be made to the Jazz Foundation of America, 322 West 48th Street, 6th Floor New York, NY 10036. For more information on the organization, visit Jazz Foundation..
To reach the Church by public transportation, take the 2, 3, B, C trains to 135th Street or M2 and M7 buses.