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.
Early life Foster was born in Buffalo, New York, on May 12, 1950, to Roslyn M. Foster. 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. 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. The only formal musical instruction he received was a month of accordion lessons.
Later life and career Foster initially performed with other local musicians. He moved to New York City with his own band, and acquired a publishing company. Foster has performed as a sideman with a wide range of musicians. He frequently worked with guitarist George Benson, including playing on the guitarist's album Breezin'. Foster has also played organ with Grant Green, Grover Washington, Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Roberta Flack, Earl Klugh, Harvey Mason, Jimmy Smith, and Stevie Wonder. He is also a record producer. 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. Later in 2016, J. Cole confirmed that the song "Mystic Brew" was reversed, pitched, and slowed down in the song Neighbors as well as the instrumental of Forbidden Fruit.
Discography As leader Recording date Title Label Year released Notes 1972-01Two Headed Freap Blue Note 1972 1972-12Sweet Revival Blue Note 1973 1973-07 Live at Montreux Blue Note 1974 Live 1974-04, 1974-05 On the Avenue Blue Note 1974 1975-03 Cheshire Cat Blue Note 1975 1978? Love Satellite Columbia 1978 1979? Delight Columbia 1979 1985 The Racer Pro Jazz 1986 2022? Reboot Blue Note 2022
As sideman
With George Benson Good King Bad (CTI, 1976) – rec. 1975 In Concert-Carnegie Hall (CTI, 1976) – live rec. 1975 Breezin' (Warner Bros., 1976) In Flight (Warner Bros., 1977) Weekend in L.A. (Warner Bros., 1978) – live rec. 1977 Livin' Inside Your Love (Warner Bros., 1979) Pacific Fire (CTI, 1983) - rec. 1975
With Chayanne Chayanne (CBS, 1987) Chayanne (CBS, 1988) Volver a Nacer (Sony Latin, 1996) Simplemente (Sony Latin, 2000)
With Jorge Dalto Chevere (United Artists, 1976) Listen Up! (Gaia Records, 1988)
With Djavan Luz (CBS, 1982) Bird of Paradise (Columbia, 1988)
With Roberta Flack Blue Lights in the Basement (Atlantic, 1977) Roberta Flack (Atlantic, 1978) Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway (Atlantic, 1980)
With Grant Green Alive! (Blue Note, 1970) – live Live at Club Mozambique (Blue Note, 2006) – rec. 1971
With Jermaine Jackson Let Me Tickle Your Fancy (Motown, 1982) Jermaine Jackson (Arista-BMG, 1984)
With Earl Klugh Crazy for You (EMI, 1981) Low Ride (Capitol, 1982) Wishful Thinking (EMI, 1984) Whispers and Promises (Warner Bros., 1989) Midnight in San Juan (Warner Bros., 1991) Sudden Burst of Energy (Warner Bros., 1996)
With Jimmy Smith Unfinished Business (Mercury, 1978) The Cat Strikes Again (Wersi Records, 1980)
With others Chet Atkins, Street Dreams (Columbia, 1986) João Bosco – Ai, Ai, Ai De Mim (CBS, 1986) Charles Jackson – Gonna Getcha' Love (Capitol, 1979) The Jacksons, Triumph (Epic, 1980) Leon "Ndugu" Chancler – Old Friends New Friends (MCA, 1989) Jimmy Ponder – Illusions (ABC Impulse!, 1976) Robbie Robertson, Storyville (Geffen, 1991) David Sanborn - A Change of Heart (Warner Bros, 1987) Lalo Schifrin – No One Home (Tabu, 1979) The Temptations – Truly for You (Gordy, 1984) Stanley Turrentine, Wonderland (Blue Note, 1987) – rec. 1986 Grover Washington Jr., Time Out of Mind (Columbia, 1989) Barry White – Dedicated (Unlimited Gold, 1983) Lenny Williams – Taking Chances (MCA, 1981) Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life (Tamla, 1976)
References
External links