Ensembles
the mick foster quartet
Mick is joined by Dominic Ashworth (guitar), Tom Farmer (bass) and Tristan Mailliot (drums). They play a mixture of Mick’s melodic original pieces and more familiar jazz material. The quartet has proved to be popular at both modern and mainstream jazz venues. Their two albums, Live at The Vortex and Four Views have received excellent reviews and have featured on national radio.
Live at The Vortex features Mick’s original compositions, and Four Views is a set of well loved jazz standards. Click on the links to hear and see the band.
“ His rich baritone sound and positive refined playing come over superbly on this very well recorded disc which features a popular selection of well loved melodic tunes.”
Brian Robinson, Jazz Journal ****
the Mick foster sEXTET - celebrating gerry mulligan
The core repertoire of this group is the music of the Gerry Mulligan Sextet. These pieces carefully balance jazz solos with tight ensemble sections and New Orleans inspired collective improvisation. The frontline comprises Shanti Jayasinha or Laura Jurd (trumpet), Robert Fowler (tenor), Adrian Fry (trombone) and Mick (baritone), joined by Dave Chamberlain (bass) and Tristan Mailliot (drums). Other arrangements and compositions are provided by Adrian Fry and Mick. Click on the link to listen to a selection recorded live at Folkestone Jazz Club.
“…a very nicely constructed evening, varying in speed and intent. Mick's rapport with the audience was excellent. But the key to this excellent gig was the horn chorus [...] Each of the four horns are improvising away and the sound makes you grin. [...] They had a great time on stage. We had a great time in the audience.”
David Lyons, Fleece Jazz
Sax A Plenty
Celebrating the West Coast sound, this group features three saxophones, bass and drums. Alan Barnes (alto sax), Robert Fowler (tenor sax) and Mick (baritone sax), are joined by Dave Chamberlain (bass) and Tristan Mailliot (drums).
Included within the core repertoire of the band are the 1950s quintet arrangements and compositions of alto saxist / composer / arranger Lennie Niehaus. Transcribed by Mick, these charts swing with lightness and buoyancy and beautifully display the craft, talent and wit of Niehaus’ work. Other pieces are written by Adrian Fry, Robert Fowler and Mick. Click on the link to listen to a selection recorded live at Folkestone Jazz Club.
“The Quintet was classic West Coast pianoless as per Niehaus & Mulligan and these guys produced the goods [...] We can't wait to get them back. Great evening - great standing ovation and great appreciation by all concerned.”
Derick Woodland, Folkestone Jazz Club
mick foster / yeu-meng chan
Mick and Yeu-Meng play saxophone and piano music taken from the classical saxophone repertoire as well as new compositions by composers such as Issie Barratt, Ken Paige and Mick. They have performed in concert halls, music clubs and churches both in the UK and in the Far East.
"Mick Foster and pianist Yeu-Meng Chan draw together a diverse and yet coherent selection of pieces, and tackle them with great individuality and panache [...] Highly recommended."
Amazon Review