Ronnie Foster
Ronnie Foster (born May 12, 1950) is an American funk and soul-jazz organist, and record producer. His albums recorded for Blue Note Records in the 1970s have gained a cult following after the emergence of acid-jazz.[1]
Ronnie Foster | |
---|---|
Born | Buffalo, New York, U.S. | May 12, 1950
Genres | Jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, producer |
Instruments | Organ, electric piano, acoustic piano, synthesizer |
Years active | 1970–present |
Labels | Blue Note, Columbia |
Associated acts | George Benson |
Early life
Foster was born in Buffalo, New York, on May 12, 1950.[1] He attended Public School 8, Woodlawn Jr. High for a year, McKinley Vocational High School for two years, and then spent his final year at Lafayette High School.[2] The only formal musical instruction he received was a month of accordion lessons.[2] He was attracted to music at the age of four, took it more seriously from his early teens, and had his first professional gig aged fifteen, playing in a strip club.[2]
Later life and career
Foster initially performed with other local musicians.[2] He moved to New York City with his own band, and acquired a publishing company.[2] Foster has performed as a sideman with a wide range of musicians.[1] He frequently worked with guitarist George Benson,[1] including playing on the guitarist's album Breezin'.[3] Foster has also played organ with Grant Green, Grover Washington, Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Roberta Flack, Earl Klugh, Harvey Mason, Jimmy Smith, and Stevie Wonder.[1] He is also a record producer.[1] Ronnie Foster's song "Mystic Brew", was sampled in Electric Relaxation by A Tribe Called Quest as well as later in J. Cole's song Forbidden Fruit.
Discography
- Two Headed Freap (Blue Note, 1972)
- Sweet Revival (Blue Note, 1972)
- Ronnie Foster Live: Cookin' with Blue Note at Montreux (Blue Note, 1973)
- On the Avenue (Blue Note, 1974)
- Cheshire Cat (Blue Note, 1975)
- Love Satellite (Columbia, 1978)
- Delight (Columbia, 1979)
- The Racer (Pro Jazz, 1986)[4]
As sideman
With Chet Atkins
- Street Dreams (Columbia, 1986)
With George Benson
- Good King Bad (CTI, 1975)
- In Concert-Carnegie Hall (CTI, 1975)
- Breezin' (Warner Bros., 1976)
- In Flight (Warner Bros., 1977)
- Livin' Inside Your Love (Warner Bros., 1979)
- Weekend in L.A. (Warner Bros., 1977)
With Chayanne
With Grant Green
- Alive! (Blue Note, 1970)
- Live at Club Mozambique (Blue Note, 1971 [2006])
With The Jacksons
- Triumph (Epic, 1980)
With Robbie Robertson
- Storyville (Geffen, 1991)
With Jeremy Cohn
- Scrimpin in the Summertime (Popsicle Toes, 2018)
With Stanley Turrentine
- Wonderland (Blue Note, 1986)
With Stevie Wonder
- Songs in the Key of Life (Tamla, 1976)
- Time Out of Mind (Columbia, 1989)
References
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Ronnie Foster Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- Osborn, John (December 1974). "Ronnie Foster". Buffalo Jazz Report. No. 10. pp. 1–2.
- Mazzone, Tom (May 1976). "George Benson: Breezin' – Warner Bros. BS 2919". Buffalo Jazz Report. No. 27. p. 5.
- The Racer at AllMusic