Foster Gary

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Foster Gary

Foster, Gary, American jazz musician; b. Leaven-worth, Kans., May 25, 1936. He studied clarinet at the Univ. of Kans. but plays flute and soprano, tenor, and alto saxophone. He moved to Los Angeles in 1961, where he began a long association with pianist-composer Clare Fischer in 1965 and was a busy studio musician. Admired for his cool-tone, straight-ahead approach, he continued his jazz work as a sideman in the big bands of Louie Bellson, Mike Barone, and Toshiko Akiyoshi (1970s), as well as with small groups led by Dennis Budmir, Jimmy Rowles, Warne Marsh, and Laurindo Almeida. Foster has recorded with Cal Tjader, Poncho Sanchez, and Mel Torme. He continues to be active in studio work, primarily because of his flute and clarinet abilities.

Discography

Make Your Own Fun (1994); Concord Duo Series, Vol. Four (1995).

—Bill Moody