Post Bop, Hard Bop, Progressive Jazz, Swing, Big Band were all the stage of talented tenor soxophonist, Frank Foster (Sep 23, 1928, Cincinnati, OH to Jul 26, 2011, Chesapeake, VA). Playing ('til 2001), writing and arranging such originals as "Down for the Count," "Blues Backstage," and "Blues in Hoss' Flat," famously used in Jerry Lewis' "Errand Boy," (video). Remembering both on this Labor Day Weekend. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org http://hardchoicesblog.blogspot.com/ -Shawn K

Post Bop, Hard Bop, Progressive Jazz, Swing, Big Band were all the stage of talented tenor soxophonist, Frank Foster (Sep 23, 1928, Cincinnati, OH to Jul 26, 2011, Chesapeake, VA). Count Basie (1953 to 1995), Frank Wess (1983), Elvin Jones (1970-1972), Jimmy Smith (1985). Playing ('til 2001), writing and arranging such originals as "Down for the Count," "Blues Backstage," and "Blues in Hoss' Flat," famously used in Jerry Lewis' "Errand Boy," (video). Remembering both on this Labor Day Weekend. HARD CHOICES Saturdays 11am-1pm KMHD 89.1FM kmhd.org http://hardchoicesblog.blogspot.com/ -Shawn K

This song is called "Blues in Hoss Flat by the Count Basie Orchestra, arranged by the late Frank Foster.

Song is Blues in Hoss Flat by the Count Basie Orchestra. This is the same version as the movie, except in STEREO-some remixing for instrument clarity and separation. It is from the 1958 "Chairman of The Board" album, and "The Errand Boy" is from 1961. 

Eddie Jones - Bass, Freddie Green - Guitar, Sonny Payne - Drums, Count Basie - Piano, Joe Newman on the trumpet solo.

CALENDAR (source: Jazz Society of Oregon)

Saturday, September 3

AlexEli Vineyard & Winery, Molalla: Ben Graves/Blake Lyman Duet, 1 pm

Brasserie Montmartre: Al Criado & Tablao, 8-11 pm

Cinetopia, Beaverton: Mark Simon solo piano, 6-10 pm

Duff's Garage: Bridgetown Sextet, 9 pm

Heathman Hotel: Bobby Torres/Key of Dreams (Eric Schultheis/Abe Wirth, guitars), no cover, all ages, 8 pm-midnight

Jazz Alley, Seattle: "A Night in Treme," Rebirth Brass Band/Donald Harrison Jr./Glen David Andrews/James "12" Andrews

Jimmy Mak's: Mordy Ferber Quartet (Dave Captein/Alan Jones/Rob Davis), "CD Release," $12, 8 pm; minors until 9:30 pm

Living Room Theaters: Heather Keizur/Steve Christofferson/Tim Gilson, 8 pm-midnight

New Phoenix Casino, La Center: Laura Cunard, +21, 8-11 pm

Portland Prime: Mel Brown/Ed Bennett/Tony Pacini, 7:30-11 pm

Sylvan Steakhouse: Dinner Jazz w/ Steve Mariman, 6-8 pm; Neil Mattson Trio, 8:30 pm

Tippy Canoe, Troutdale: Ollie McClay/Craig Bidondo Duo, all ages, 6-10 pm

Touche: Ethometric (Kelly Shannon/Glen Moore/Dan Duval), 8:30 pm, 8:30 pm

Trail's End Saloon, Oregon City: Bill Rhoades & the Party Kings

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND FRANK FOSTER...

[source: allmusic.com]

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 
Although it appeared at a time when Count Basie was enjoying respect from all quarters (as evidenced by the pop acclaim of several Grammy awards and the jazz faithful's enthusiasm for his concert at Newport), Chairman of the Board was, comparatively, a low-profile session. The record was surrounded in Basie's discography by several prize-winners and a parade of studio collaborations -- with vocalists Tony Bennett, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, and Billy Eckstine, plus arranger Neal Hefti. This 1958 date for Roulette was a rare chance for the orchestra to perform on its own, and listeners to hear how powerful the band could be when its concentration was undiverted. Of course, Basie's band already possessed three fine arrangers (Frank Foster, Thad Jones, and Frank Wess) and at least a dozen solo voices. Each of the ten songs on Chairman of the Board were originals by Foster, Jones, Wess, orErnie Wilkins, all of them arranged by the composer. The record is admittedly heavy on the blues, but it's a brassy, powerful vision of the blues; Foster's "Blues in Hoss' Flat" and Wilkins' "Kansas City Shout" take the band back to its hometown, beginning with a subtle swing but ending with a raucous display of power from each section. The contributions by Jones andWess provide a necessary complement to that forceful swing. Jones' "Speaking of Sounds" employs the woodwinds to provide color and texture, while Wess' "Segue in C" relies on bassist Eddie Jones and Basie's piano to lead the band while Wess himself takes several choruses on alto sax. A dynamic date, it shows the "new testament" edition of Basie's orchestra in top form.




FRANK FOSTER
A very talented tenor saxophonist and arranger, Frank Foster was associated with the Count Basie Orchestra off and on from 1953 to 1995. Early on, he played in Detroit with many talented local players and, after a period in the Army (1951-1953), he joined Basie's big band. Well featured on tenor during his Basie years (1953-1964),Foster also contributed plenty of arrangements and such originals as "Down for the Count," "Blues Backstage," and the standard "Shiny Stockings." In the latter half of the 1960s, Foster was a freelance writer. In addition to playing with Elvin Jones (1970-1972) and occasionally with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, he led hisLoud Minority big band. In 1983, Foster co-led a quintet with Frank Wess and he toured Europe with Jimmy Smith in 1985. Although influenced by John Coltrane in his playing, Foster was able to modify his style when he took over the Count Basie ghost band in 1986, revitalizing it and staying at the helm until 1995. Outside of hisBasie dates, Foster led sessions for Vogue, Blue Note (1954 and 1968), Savoy, Argo, Prestige, Mainstream, Denon, Catalyst, Bee Hive, SteepleChase, Pablo, and Concord. Foster suffered a stroke in 2001 that prevented him from playing the saxophone, but he continued to compose and arrange music during the first decade of the new millennium. He died at home in Chesapeake, Virginia in late July 2011; Frank Foster was 82 years old.