Mick Foster is a saxophonist, woodwind player and composer, and is especially known as a baritone and bass saxophonist. Originally from Harrogate, he studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and has since worked extensively in the fields of jazz, commercial and classical music. He has played with many ensembles such as the big bands of John Dankworth, Stan Sulzmann and Mike Garrick, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, Swing Out Sister, The Back To Basie Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, English National Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
Mick currently plays with his own quartet and quintet, Alan Barnes’ +11 project, Jim Rattigan’s ensemble Pavillon and is a long standing member of The London Jazz Orchestra. He also regularly works with Tony Jacobs, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Other notable jazz musicians that Mick has worked with include Dame Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth, Trudy Kerr, Mark Lockheart, Guy Barker, Laura Jurd, Digby Fairweather and the Humphrey Lyttelton Band. Mick has recorded four albums under his own name and is in demand as a session musician. He has played on many film and TV soundtracks including Prometheus, Vice, Don’t Look Up, Mr Selfridge and Downton Abbey.
As a composer Mick has written for various ensembles which include the London Jazz Orchestra, Quartz Saxophone Quartet, Docklands Sinfonia and Onyx Brass as well as his own jazz groups. His music has been recorded and played all over the world and broadcast on BBC Radio. Some of Mick’s pieces are published by Saxtet Publications and are included on both the ABRSM and Trinity College exams syllabuses.
Mick is active as an educator; he currently teaches at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is a tutor for Jazz School UK and the Loire Summer School.
Photographer: Mick Gawthorpe