Best known for his work in Count Basie’s Orchestra, tenor saxist/composer/arranger Frank Foster is given a swinging tribute by trumpeter Kenyatta Beasley as he gives a swinging concert performance at Brooklyn’s Jazz 966 Club with Vincent Gardner/tb, Mark Gross/as, Keth Loftis/ts-ss, Alvester Garnett/dr, Dezron Douglasb, Anthoney Wonsey/p and some special guests.
The team is wild and wooley as they get into a swinging and upbeat mood on the boogie-ing “Hip Shakin’” with guest guitarist Mark Whitfield stretching out like a Theraband. Carla Cook rings lovely voice to “Simone.” Eric Wyatt’s tenor is warm and strong on “Skull Dougery” and even Wynton Marsalis jumps on stage for a hip take of “Grey Thursday.” A Latinized “Cidade Alta” is a go-getter, with “House That Love Built” a relaxed treat with Wonsey and Gardner giving bel canto reads. Beasley himself glows with embers on “Manhattan Fever” with the closing “Cecilia Is Love” a rich bopper. This is a festive recording that celebrates an undeservedly forgotten giant.