The other Frank has died

The other Frank has died

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norman lebrecht

July 28, 2011

Frank Foster, the saxophonist who did arrangements for Sinatra and doubled with flautist Frank Wess in a number called Two Franks, is gone at 82.

His best-known number was Shiny Stockings. Hear it here. Obit here. More than anyone, he shaped the Count Basie sound.

 

Comments

  • Ken Hatfield says:

    I’m saddened to hear that Frank Foster has passed away. I feel fortunate to have met him at a ceremony in 2006 were he and several other Basie alumni (Freddie Green and Clark Terry, along with Sarah Vaughan, Horace Silver and Fletcher Henderson) were inducted into the ASCAP Foundation’s Jazz Wall Of Fame. His gentlemanly demeanor, sense of humor and inquisitive nature were impressive, in spite of his ill health. I only wish I knew him before his stroke. He was very kind to me. After my trio performed he took time to quiz me about voicing approaches for the guitar, and surprised me when he told me that he was currently living in the tidewater area of virginia were I grew up. He will be missed. Thank god we have so many recorded examples of his wonderful music………. and so many great tunes from his pen to perform.

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