Fostina Dixon

Fostina Dixon (August 16, 1956) is an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist, and vocalist.

Early life and studies

Dixon was born in Wilmington, Delaware{{cite web |title=Fostina Dixon {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fostina-dixon-mn0001622186/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506104503/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fostina-dixon-mn0001622186/biography |archive-date=May 6, 2018}} and began her career in the early 1970s, playing with Buddy Collette, Frank Foster, and Andy McGhee. She studied at Boston University, Berklee College of Music, and California Institute of the Arts, where she received a Fine Arts degree.{{cite web |title=Saxophone Maestra Fostina Dixon Blends Contemporary Jazz, Gospel, Funk And R&B On "Here We Go Again" |url=https://news.allaboutjazz.com/saxophone-maestra-fostina-dixon-blends-contemporary-jazz-gospel-funk-and-r-and-b-on-here-we-go-again.php |website=All About Jazz |access-date=May 5, 2018 |date=February 24, 2017}} She also studied at Wilmington University, where she received a master's degree in education.

Career

In the early 1980s Dixon led her own group, "Collage", and worked with Cab Calloway, Jimmy Cleveland, Gil Evans, Slide Hampton, Major Holley, Melba Liston, and Gerald Wilson. She was a saxophonist in Marvin Gaye's touring band in the last few years of his life. Following this she played with Roy Ayers, Andrew Cyrille, and Charlie Persip, and worked with a new ensemble under her own direction, "Winds of Change".{{cite web |title=Fostina Dixon-Kilgoe |url=https://delaware.gov/artistroster/artistProfile.php?aid=367 |work=Delaware Artist Roster |publisher=Delaware Division of the Arts |access-date=May 5, 2018}}

From 1986 to 1988 she accompanied James "Blood" Ulmer on tour, then appeared on Calvin Weston's 1989 album Dance Romance. In the 1990s she worked with Abbey Lincoln and Loud Minority.{{cite book |first=Gary W. |last=Kennedy |chapter=Fostina Dixon |title=The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz |date=2002 |edition=2nd |editor-link=Barry Kernfeld |editor-first=Barry |editor-last=Kernfeld |volume=1|page=625|publisher=Grove's Dictionaries Incorporated |isbn=978-1561592845}}

She founded the Wilmington Youth Jazz Band in 2004 in her native city.{{cite news |title=Jazz It Up |url=https://whyy.org/articles/jazz-it-up-2/ |access-date=May 5, 2018 |work=WHYY-FM |date=September 26, 2011}}{{cite web |title=Wilmington Youth Jazz Band |url=https://wyjb.org/jazz-band/ |website=Wilmington Youth Jazz Band |access-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201174138/https://wyjb.org/jazz-band/ |url-status=dead }}

Critical reactions

A review of Here We Go Again in All About Jazz described it as "a thoroughly engaging journey that seamlessly transports the listener with spiritual-like soundscapes."

AllMusic writes of Dixon that her "commitment is total, and she is also eager to extend her audience by finding a style in both playing and composing that appeals beyond the merely intellectual."

Discography

Here We Go Again Fossiebear Inc. (2016){{cite web |title=Fostina Dixon: Here We Go Again |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/here-we-go-again-mw0002995296 |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 5, 2018}} The album has seven tracks for a total duration of 18:30.