Frank Foster, the saxophonist and composer best known for his 1953-64 tenure with the Count Basie Orchestra, died yesterday, July 26, in Chesapeake, Va. The cause of death was kidney failure. Foster, who was honored with an NEA Jazz Master award in 2002, was 82. Born in Cincinnati on Sept. 21, 1928, Foster first played piano and clarinet before switching to alto saxophone and finally tenor and soprano saxes, as well as flute. In 1949, after attending Wilberforce University, where he played in the dance band, Foster moved to Detroit, where he began his professional career with local bands. He served in the Army during the Korean War and joined Basie after his discharge in 1953.Frank Foster receiving Living Legacy Award at the Kennedy Center. Photo by Valerie Russell. With Basie, Foster contributed song material as well as his instrumental parts. His composition “Shiny Stockings” became a hit for the band and was subsequently recorded by other artists, sometimes with lyrics: The All Music Guide Web site lists 432 recordings of the song, by such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Dexter Gordon and Milt Jackson. Other Foster songs performed by the Basie group included “Down for the Count,” “Blues Backstage,” “Blues in Hoss Flat” and “Back to the Apple.” His compositions were recorded by Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra and numerous other performers. Foster also wrote arrangements for the Basie orchestra, including the entire 1960 Easin' It album.Fonte: http://jazztimes.com