Tag Archives: Frank Foster

George Benson: 20/20

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On January 7, 1985, “Warner Bros” label released “20/20”, the 22nd George Benson studio album. It was recorded in 1984, at “Amigo Studios”, “Devonshire Sound Studios”, “Bill Schnee Studios” in Hollywood, “Atlantic Studios”, “A&R Recording”, “Automated Sound Studios”, “Rosebud Recording”, “The Hit Factory”, “the Review Room”, “Avatar Studios”, “Sigma Sound Studios” in New York City, “Grand Slam Studios” in New Jersey, “House of Music” in Orange, NJ, “Bossa Nova Hotel”, “Village Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Russ Titelman, Michael Masser, Daniel Sembello and Michael Sembello.

Personnel:

  • George Benson – lead and harmony vocals, guitar
  • Michael Sembello – guitars, drum programming, backing vocals
  • Dann Huff – guitar
  • Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar
  • Cecil Womack – guitar, backing vocals
  • David Williams – rhythm guitar
  • Freddie Green – rhythm guitar
  • Joe Sample – acoustic piano
  • Wells Christie – Synclavier programming
  • Randy Waldman – keyboards, synthesizers, arrangements
  • James Newton Howard – acoustic piano, synthesizers, string arrangements
  • Clifford Carter – keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming
  • Rob Mounsey – Synclavier, vocoder, synthesizer bass
  • Richard Tee – Fender Rhodes, synthesizer bass
  • Daniel Sembello – DX7 Rhodes, synthesizer bass, synthesizers, drum programming, ride cymbal
  • Robbie Buchanan – keyboards, synthesizer programming, arrangements
  • Randy Goodrum – synthesizer programming, Oberheim DMX, Oberheim DSX sequencer
  • Barnaby Finch – DX7 Rhodes
  • Dave Grusin – string synthesizer, flute
  • Neil Larsen – synthesizers
  • Randy Kerber – keyboards
  • Marcus Miller – bass
  • Nathan East – bass
  • Earl May – bass
  • Anthony Jackson – bass
  • Neil Stubenhaus – bass
  • Clif Magness – drum programming, track arrangements
  • Russ Titelman – drum programming
  • Steve Ferrone – additional drums
  • Dave Weckl – additional drums, additional cymbals
  • Bryan Lee Janszen – Simmons drum programming
  • Carlos Vega – drums
  • John Robinson – drums
  • Steve Kipner – Oberheim DMX, Oberheim DSX sequencer
  • Rick Shlosser – drums
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion
  • Errol “Crusher” Bennett – finger cymbals
  • Ralph MacDonald – triangle, percussion
  • Gary Herbig – saxophone
  • Kim Hutchcroft – saxophone
  • Frank Wess – alto saxophone
  • Charles Williams – alto saxophone
  • Robert Eldridge – baritone saxophone
  • George Coleman – tenor saxophone
  • Jimmy Heath – tenor saxophone
  • Robin Eubanks – trombone
  • Slide Hampton – trombone
  • Benny Powell – trombone
  • Dave Taylor – trombone
  • Gary Grant – trumpet
  • Jerry Hey – trumpet, horn arrangements
  • Jon Faddis – trumpet
  • Earl Gardner – trumpet
  • Joe Newman – trumpet
  • Lew Soloff – trumpet
  • Felix Vega – trumpet
  • George Young – flute
  • Frank Foster – horn arrangements, conductor
  • Ralph Burns – string arrangements, conductor
  • Michael Masser – rhythm track arrangements
  • Gene Page – rhythm track and string arrangements
  • Roberta Flack – lead vocals
  • Patti Austin – backing and harmony vocals
  • Gordon Grody – backing vocals
  • Lani Groves – backing vocals
  • Richard Marx – backing vocals
  • Deborah Thomas – backing vocals
  • James Taylor – backing and harmony vocals
  • Linda Womack – backing vocals
  • David Cochrane – backing vocals
  • Darryl Phinnessee – backing vocals
  • Russ Titelman – executive producer
  • Mary Melia – production coordinator
  • Jim Boyer, Lee Herschberg, Gary Ladinsky, Michael Mancini, Elliot Scheiner, Russell Schmitt, Thom Wilson – engineer
  • Dick Bogart, Kendal Brown, Dean Burt, John Convertino, Jim Gallagher, Josiah Gluck, Cliff Hodson, John Rollo, Nicholas Spigel – additional engineering
  • Michael Abbott, Mike Allaire, Nelson Ayers, Mike Birnholz, Paul Brown, Ollie Cotton, Nick Delre, Paul Higgins, Steve Hirsch, Cliff Jones, Barbara Ivone, Leslie Klein, Robin Laine, Bruce Lampcov, James Nichols, Bobby Warner, Jay Willis – engineer assistant
  • Jim Boyer, Ed Rak, Elliot Scheiner, Russ Titelman – mixing
  • Ted Jensen – mastering
  • Simon Levy – art direction
  • Kav DeLuxe – design
  • Richard Bomersheim – photography

Track listing:

  1. No One Emotion – Cliff Magness, Mark Mueller, Tom Keane
  2. Please Don’t Walk Away – James Newton Howard, Steve Lukather
  3. I Just Wanna Hang Around You – Chuz Sembello, Daniel Sembello, Jon Sembello, Michael Sembello
  4. Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You – Michael Masser, Gerry Goffin
  5. Beyond the Sea (la Mer) – Charles Trenet, Jack Lawrence
  6. 20/20 – Randy Goodrum, Steve Kipner
  7. New Day – Cecil Womack, Linda Womack
  8. Hold Me – Michael Sembello, Daniel Sembello
  9. Stand Up – Neil Larsen
  10. You Are the Love of My Love – Linda Creed, Michael Masser

Kenny Burrell: Same (second album)

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In April 1957, “Blue Note” label released the self-titled, second Kenny Burrell studio album. It was recorded March – May 1956, at “Audio-Video Studios” in New York City and “Van Gelder Studio” in Hackensack, NJ, and was produced by Alfred Lion.

Personnel:

  • Kenny Burrell – guitar
  • Tommy Flanagan – piano 
  • Frank Foster – tenor saxophone
  • Paul Chambers – bass
  • Oscar Pettiford – bass
  • Kenny Clarke – drums
  • Shadow Wilson – drums
  • Candido – conga 
  • Andy Warhol – cover art

Track listing:

All tracks by Kenny Burrell except where noted.

  1. Get Happy – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
  2. But Not for Me – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  3. Moten Swing – Bennie Moten
  4. Cheetah
  5. Now See How You Are – Woody Harris, Oscar Pettiford
  6. Phinupi
  7. How About You? – Burton Lane, Ralph Freed

Bennie Green: The Swingin’est

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In December 1958, “Vee-Jay” label released “The Swingin’est”, the eighth Bennie Green album. It was recorded in November 1958, at “Bell Sound Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Sid McCoy.

Personnel:

  • Bennie Green – trombone
  • Gene Ammons, Frank Foster – tenor saxophone
  • Nat Adderley – cornet
  • Frank Wess – tenor saxophone, flute
  • Tommy Flanagan – piano
  • Eddie Jones – bass
  • Albert Heath – drums

Track listing:

  1. Juggin’ Around – Frank Foster
  2. Going South – Frank Foster
  3. Jim Dog – Gene Ammons
  4. Sermonette – Nat Adderley, Jon Hendricks
  5. A Little Ditty – Frank Wess

Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson: Clean Head’s Back in Town

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In November 1957, “Bethlehem” label released “Clean Head’s Back in Town”, the debut Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson album. It was recorded in August 1957, in New York City, and was produced by Bob Thiele.

Personnel:

  • Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson – vocals, alto saxophone
  • Bill Graham − alto saxophone
  • Charlie Rouse, Frank Foster, Paul Quinichette − tenor saxophone
  • Charles Fowlkes − baritone saxophone
  • Joe Newman − trumpet
  • Henry Coker − trombone
  • Nat Pierce − piano
  • Freddie Green, Turk Van Lake – guitar
  • Ed Jones − bass
  • Ed Thigpen, Gus Johnson − drums
  • Ernie Wilkins, Harry Tubbs, Manny Albam − arranger

Track listing:

All tracks by Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Dossie Terry and William Gray except where noted

  1. Cleanhead’s Back in Town
  2. That’s the Way to Treat Your Woman
  3. Trouble in Mind – Richard M. Jones
  4. Kidney Stew Blues – Eddie Vinson, Leona Blackman
  5. Sweet Lovin’ Baby – Charles Darwin
  6. Caldonia – Fleecie Moore
  7. It Ain’t Necessarily So – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
  8. Cherry Red – Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner
  9. Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby – Louis Jordan, Bill Austin
  10. I Just Can’t Keep the Tears from Tumblin’ Down – Charles Darwin
  11. Your Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine
  12. Hold It Right There
  13. Trouble in Mind (alternate take) – Richard M. Jones
  14. Kidney Stew Blues (alternate take) – Eddie Vinson, Leona Blackman
  15. Hold It Right There (alternate take)

Donald Byrd: Fancy Free

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In December 1970, “Blue Note” label released “Fancy Free”, the 35th Donald Byrd album. It was recorded May 9 – June 6, 1969, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, and was produced by Duke Pearson.

Personnel:

  • Donald Byrd– trumpet
  • Frank Foster– tenor and soprano saxophone
  • Julian Priester– trombone
  • Lew Tabackin, Jerry Dodgion – flute
  • Duke Pearson– electric piano
  • Jimmy Ponder– guitar
  • Roland Wilson – bass
  • Joe Chambers, Leo Morris – drums
  • Nat Bettis, John H. Robinson Jr.- percussion

Track listing:

  1. Fancy Free – Donald Byrd
  2. I Love the Girl – Donald Byrd
  3. The Uptowner – Mitch Farber
  4. Weasil – Charles Hendricks

Count Basie and His Orchestra: The Atomic Mr. Basie

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In January 1958, “Roulette” label released “The Atomic Mr. Basie”, album by Count Basie and his Orchestra. It was recorded on October 21 and 22, 1957, at “Capitol Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Teddy Reig. At the 1st “Annual Grammy Awards”, the album won “Best Jazz Performance, Group” and “Best Performance by a Dance Band” awards.

Personnel:

  • Count Basie— piano
  • Wendell Culley, Snooky Young, Thad Jones, Joe Newman— trumpet
  • Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell— trombone
  • Marshal Royal, Frank Wess, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Frank Foster, Charles Fowlkes— reeds
  • Eddie Jones— bass
  • Freddie Green— guitar
  • Sonny Payne— drums
  • Joe Williams— vocals
  • Neal Hefti, Jimmy Mundy— arrangements

Track listing:

All tracks composed and arranged by Neal Hefti, except where noted.

  1. Kid from Red Bank – Count Basie, Neal Hefti
  2. Duet
  3. After Supper
  4. Flight of the Foo Birds
  5. Double-O
  6. Teddy the Toad
  7. Whirlybird
  8. Midnite Blue
  9. Splanky
  10. Fantail
  11. Lil’ Darlin’

Ella Fitzgerald And Count Basie: Ella And Basie!

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In September 1963, “Verve” label released “Ella and Basie!”, studio album by Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie and his orchestra. It was recorded in July 1963, at “A&R Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Norman Ganz.

Personnel:

  • Ella Fitzgerald– vocals
  • The Count Basie Orchestra:
  • Count Basie– piano
  • Sonny Cohn, Al Aarons, Joe Newman, Don Rader– trumpet
  • Eric Dixon– flute, tenor saxophone
  • Frank Foster, Frank Wess– flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
  • Charlie Fowlkes– baritone saxophone
  • Freddie Green– guitar
  • Benny Powell, Urbie Green, Henry Coker, Grover Mitchell– trombone
  • Flip Ricard– trombone, trumpet
  • Marshal Royal– clarinet, alto saxophone
  • Buddy Catlett– double bass
  • Sonny Payne– drums
  • Quincy Jones– arranger
  • Val Valentin – recording
  • Jay Thompson – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Honeysuckle Rose – Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
  2. Deed I Do – Walter Hirsch, Fred Rose
  3. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall – Doris Fisher, Allan Roberts
  4. Them There Eyes – Maceo Pinkard, Doris Tauber, William Tracey
  5. Dream a Little Dream of Me – Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, Wilbur Schwandt
  6. Tea for Two – Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
  7. Satin Doll – Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn
  8. I’m Beginning to See the Light – Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges, Harry James
  9. Shiny Stockings – Frank Foster, Ella Fitzgerald
  10. This Is My Last Affair – Haven Johnson
  11. Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Harry Brooks, Razaf, Waller
  12. On the Sunny Side of the Street – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Frank Sinatra & Count Basie: It Might as Well Be Swing

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In August 1964, “Reprise” label released “It Might as Well Be Swing”, studio album by Frank Sinatra, accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra. It was recorded June 9–12, 1964, Hollywood, and was produced by Sony Burke.

Personnel:

  • Frank Sinatra- vocals
  • Count Basie- piano
  • Quincy Jones- arranger, conductor
  • Al Porcino, Don Rader, Wallace Davenport, Al Aarons, George Cohn and Harry “Sweets” Edison- trumpets
  • Henry Coker, Grover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, Henderson Chambers and Kenny Shroyer – trombones
  • Frank Foster, Charles Fowlkes, Marshal Royal, Frank Wessand Eric Dixon – reeds
  • Emil Richards – vibraphone
  • George Catlett – double bass
  • Freddie Green- guitar
  • Sonny Payne- drums
  • Gerald Vinci, Israel Baker, Jacques Gasselin, Thelma Beach, Bonnie Douglas, Marshall Sosson, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Paul Shure and James Getzoff – violins
  • Virginia Majewski, Paul Robyn, Alvin Dinkin and Stan Harris –
  • violasEdgar Lustgarten and Ann Goodman – cellos
  • Lowell Frank – engineer
  • Ted Allen – cover photo

Track listing:

  1. Fly Me to the Moon – Bart Howard
  2. I Wish You Love – Léo Chauliac, Charles Trenet, Albert Beach
  3. I Believe in You – Frank Loesser
  4. More (Theme from Mondo Cane) – Riz Ortolani, Nino Oliviero, Marcello Ciorciolini, Norman Newell
  5. I Can’t Stop Loving You – Don Gibson
  6. Hello Dolly – Jerry Herman
  7. I Wanna Be Around – Johnny Mercer, Sadie Vimmerstedt
  8. The Best Is Yet to Come – Cy Coleman, Carolyn Leigh
  9. The Good Life – Sacha Distel, Jack Reardon
  10. Wives and Lovers – Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Carole King: Welcome Home

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In May 1978, “Capitol” label released “Welcome Home”, the tenth Carole King album. It was recorded in January 1978 at “Sound Labs” in Hollywood, and was produced by Carole King and Norm Kinney.

Personnel:

  • Carole King – lead and backing vocals, string arrangements
  • Robert McEntee – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Hallman- guitars, backing vocals
  • Rob Galloway – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Wooten – drums
  • Miguel Rivera – congas, percussion
  • Richard Hardy – vocals, flute, saxophone, clarinet
  • George Bohanon- trombone, horn arrangement
  • Dick “Slyde” Hyde- trombone
  • Ernie Watts- saxophone
  • Nolan Andrew Smith, Jr – trumpet, fluegelhorn
  • Oscar Brashear- trumpet, fluegelhorn
  • Charles Veal, Jr. – concertmaster, violin
  • Israel Baker- violin
  • Frank Foster – violin
  • William H. Henderson – violin
  • Marcia Van Dyke – violin
  • Dorothy Wade – violin
  • John Wittenberg – violin
  • Kenneth Yerke – violin
  • Rollice Dale – viola
  • Denyse Buffum – viola
  • Dennis Karmazyn – cello
  • Ronald Cooper – cello
  • Charles Veal, Rollice Dale, Dennis Karmazyn – The Trio on “Changes”
  • Bob Harrington – hammer dulcimer
  • Anne Golia – tamboura
  • Georgia Kelly – harp
  • Rick Evers – cowbell
  • Carole King, Mark Hallman, Robert McEntee, Richard Hardy, Stephanie Spruill, Alexandra Brown, Ann White – choir
  • Norm Kinney, Linda Tyler, Steve Katz – engineer
  • Roy Kohara,- art direction
  • Roy Reynolds – art direction, photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Carole King except where noted.

  1. Main Street Saturday Night
  2. Sunbird – Carole King, Rick Evers
  3. Venusian Diamond – Carole King, Rick Evers, Mark Hallman, Robert McEntee, Robb Galloway, Miguel Rivera, Richard Hardy, Michael Wooten
  4. Changes
  5. Morning Sun
  6. Disco Tech – Carole King, Mark Hallman, Robert McEntee, Robb Galloway, Miguel Rivera, Michael Wooten, Richard Hardy
  7. Wings of Love – Carole King, Rick Evers
  8. Ride the Music
  9. Everybody’s Got the Spirit
  10. Welcome Home

Elvin Jones

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On May 18, 2004, Elvin Ray Jones died aged 77. He was musician (drums), performed with  Charles Mingus, Teddy Charles, Bud Powell and Miles Davis, but he is best known as a member of the John Coltrane quartet (from 1960 to 1966) along with Jimmy Garrison on bass and McCoy Tyner on piano, in the celebrated recording phase including the album “A love supreme”. Jones recorded with numerous artists including Art Farmer, J.J. Johnson, Aaron Bell, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Sonny Rollins, Thad Jones, Idris Sulieman, Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy, Bernie Green, Hank Jones, Jimmy Forest, Randy Weston, Curtis Fuller, Gil Evans, Harry Lookofsky, Julian Priester, Barry Harris, Clifford Jordan, Sonny Red, Yusef Lateef, Lee Konitz, Freddie Hubbard, Pony Poindexter, Duke Ellington, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Woods, Andrew Hill, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Bob Brookmeyer, Wayne Shorter, Grant Green, Joe Henderson, Larry Young, Roland Kirk, Earl Hines, Jaki Byard, Larry Coryell, Ornette Coleman, Barney Kessel, Phineas Newborn Jr, Allen Ginsberg, Joe Farrell, Frank Foster, Billy Harper, Elek Bacsik, Oregon, Jimmy Rowles, Chico Freeman, Ray Brown, Pharaoh Sanders, Lew Soloff, James Williams, Marcus Roberts, Kenny Garrett, David Murray, Sonny Sharrock, Javon Jackson, Robert Hurst, John McLaughlin, Shirley Horn, Joe Lovano, Steve Griggs, Michael Brecker, Gary LeMel and Stefano di Battista, becoming one of the most recorded artists of all time.  As leader, Jones released 48 albums.