Billy Foster, a respected pianist, composer, educator, and producer, has been jazz piano instructor at Valparaiso University since 1979. In this capacity he has conducted many jazz clinics, lectures, and educational performances on campus, in the region, and beyond. Mr. Foster received a B.S. from Defiance College and an M.M. from Roosevelt University, with additional study at New York University. An active professional musician for the past 35 years, he has also maintained an active teaching presence as a school music teacher in the Gary Public School District since 1969. He has also served on the advisory panel of the Indiana Arts Commission for three years.
Mr. Foster has written and produced recordings with both "Billy Foster and Audio" and with "The Billy Foster Trio." He is a featured soloist on two of guitarist Henry Johnson's CD's for MCA Records. His work as pianist and composer with the VU Faculty Jazz Trio can be heard on the CD For the Moment, produced by VUCA Media. He has also written and produced music for several television commercials in the Chicago area.
Over the years Mr. Foster has performed in concert with such jazz luminaries as Art Farmer, Slide Hampton, James Moody, Ernie Watts, Michael Wolff, Jon Faddis, Red Rodney, Tom Harrell, Jimmy Heath, Etta Jones, Houson Person, Clark Terry, the Impressions, George Coleman, Richie Cole, and many others.