Pops Foster

George Murphy Foster, almost always known as Pops Foster (18 May 1892 (?) - 30 October, 1969) was a jazz musician, best known for his vigorous string bass playing. Foster also played tuba and trumpet professionally.

Related Topics:
18 May - 1892 - 30 October - 1969 - Jazz - Musician - String bass - Tuba - Trumpet

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Foster was born in a plantation near McCall, Louisiana. His family moved to New Orleans when he was about 10. His older brother Willard Foster began playing banjo and guitar; George started out on a cello then switched to string bass.

Related Topics:
Plantation - McCall, Louisiana - New Orleans - Banjo - Guitar - Cello

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Pops Foster was playing professionally by about 1907, and worked with Jack Carey, Kid Ory, Armand Piron, King Oliver and other prominent hot bands of the era.

Related Topics:
Jack Carey - Kid Ory - Armand Piron - King Oliver

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In 1921 he moved to Saint Louis, Missouri to play with Charlie Creath and Dewey Jackson's bands, which would be his base for much of the decade, other than some time in Los Angeles to join Kid Ory in California.

Related Topics:
1921 - Saint Louis, Missouri - Charlie Creath - Dewey Jackson - Los Angeles - California

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In 1929 Foster moved to New York City, where he played with the bands of Luis Russell and Louis Armstrong through 1940. He giged with various New York based bands through the 1940s, including with Sidney Bechet, Art Hodes, and regular broadcasts on the national "This Is Jazz" radio program.

Related Topics:
1929 - New York City - Luis Russell - Louis Armstrong - 1940 - 1940s - Sidney Bechet - Art Hodes - Radio

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In the late 1940s he began touring more widely, playing in many countries in Europe, especially in France, and throughout the United States including returns to New Orleans and California.

Related Topics:
Europe - France - United States

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San Francisco became his home in his later years, and he died in that city.

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"The Autobiography of Pops Foster" was published in 1971. The book is not known for great accuracy when some anecdotes are compared to other sources.

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