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Personal Information
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First Name
Alex
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Last Name
Foster
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Hometown
Oakland, California [map]
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Gender
Male
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Instruments Played
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone
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Music Genres Played
World Music, Funk, Rock, Pop, Classical, Jazz, Other
About Me
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Biography
A musical heavyweight, saxophonist Alex Foster has been a part of many of the world’s most influential sounds to date. Best known in recent years for his work as the alto saxophonist in the house band of Saturday Night Live, he has also shared the stage with numerous world-class performers in varying genres. Currently a New York City resident, his accolades are not restricted to his location. For the past 10 years, Alex was a resident of Greece and has also toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia. Besides being a member of the Saturday Night Live house band, he is also the musical director of the Mingus Big Band, Orchestra and Dynasty and is currently completing his latest album featuring all original compositions.
In the jazz scene, he has been heard on recordings and has performed alongside the likes of Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Jack DeJohnette, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Nat and Cannonball Adderley, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gil Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Charles Mingus, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones, Hank Jones, Tito Puente, Michael Brecker, Duke Ellington, Carla Bley, Ron Carter, and more. In contrast, in the pop rock music scene he has also recorded and/or performed with Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Paul Simon, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, Eddie Van Halen, Diana Ross and many others. His versatility as an artist is not only present in the jazz and pop rock music scene, but is also prominent in the classical realm as well, performing with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Oakland Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony and the National Symphony.
Speaking about his earliest influences, Alex states that he has drawn the most from Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Henry Mancini, Wynton Kelly and Bill Evans. His unique voice can best be heard on his upcoming album, “Alex Foster’s Condition,” in which he is playing tenor, soprano, and alto saxophone. Accompanying him are musicians Michael Wolff on piano, Costas Baltazanis on guitar, James Genus on bass, and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums. The music on his new record can best be described as passionate, energetic and melodic. “Alex Foster’s Condition” is representative of his current desire to express his music in its most honest, uninhibited way.
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