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All Genres > Hip Hop/Rap > Alternative Hip Hop > MICHAEL FOSTER PROJECT: Weapons of Brass Destruction If you've never heard The Michael Foster Project and you love New Orleans brass jazz, you're in for a real treat. Michael Foster, the leader of this multi-genre group, started playing music at a young age. He attended Southern University where he was a member of the "Human Jukebox" (S.U. Marching Band). His band-mates, many of them also music teachers and band directors, originally came together at Southern. "We met at the department of music," Foster says, "and in the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity." Julius McKee, his old roommate at Southern, first introduced Foster to the funky grooves of brass jazz. "We were both sousaphone players," Foster says, "He was from New Orleans, and he introduced me to the Dirty Dozen brass band. We sat in our room listening to those tapes until they wore out." The sessions paid off. McKee is now the sousaphone player with the Dirty Dozen. While performing at M's Fine and Mellow Cafe' in Baton Rouge, Foster met Donna Sims. Ms. Sims went on to start up the Rampart Record Label and Record the MFP's debut release, "Kick Some Brass." The Project was voted "Best New Brass Band or Performer," after the release by OFFBEAT Magazine's "Best of the Beat" awards. In addition, one of the tracks recorded ("Chicken Grease") was included on WWOZ's "Sounds of New Orleans" compilation CD #13, in the Spring of 2000. It was no surprise that the debut release also spawned numerous comparisons to the Dirty Dozen. Michael Foster's work with his group has earned him recognition by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, as their Arts Ambassador. He has gone into school systems around the south talking to young students about the importance and traditions of jazz music, as well as inspiring them to practice and keep the music alive. Like many bands, the Michael Foster Project has had a plethora of talent moving through, as members of the group. Everyone who comes through leaves a little of themselves with the band and the band evolves a little more. The core group now consists of Chris Lee on drums; John Gray on trumpet; LeManuel Turnipseed on trombone; Emile Turner on Flugel Horn; Jeremy Boykins on trumpet; Roosevelt Rose on sax and the leader himself Michael Foster on Sousaphone, electric bass, and acoustic bass. Track List: 1. WMFP News/ Brass Destruction 2. We Don't Want No War 3. Black Widow Blues 4. Red Clay 5. Club MFP (Where the Project Done Gone?) 6. Sousa Phunkshun 7. Wynongia 8. Tales From THe Bayou (The Legend of Michael Foster) 9. Mike's Groove 10. Pocket Morrigan 11. Chicken Grease Revisited 12. Margarita Moments 13. Georgia on My Mind 14. Finished Dad Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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