Mick Foster is a saxophonist, clarinettist and composer who is particularly noted as a specialist in the baritone saxophone. 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 appeared with many ensembles which include the big bands of John Dankworth, Stan Sulzmann and Mike Garrick, the Back to Basie Orchestra, The Humphrey Lyttelton Band, Ginger Baker’s Air Force and The London Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also worked with Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth, Trudy Kerr, Mark Lockheart, Guy Barker, Digby Fairweather, Swing Out Sister, The BBC Concert Orchestra, English National Opera and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Mick has recorded three albums under his own name and is in demand as a session musician, having played for many film and TV soundtracks.
As a composer Mick has written for various ensembles which include the London Jazz Orchestra, Quartz Saxophone Quartet, Docklands Sinfonia and Onyx Brass. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3; some of his pieces are published by Saxtet Publications and are included on both the ABRSM and Trinity College London exams syllabuses.
Mick is active as an educator; he teaches at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Goldsmiths College; he is also a tutor for the National Youth Jazz Collective.