Instrumentalist, Vocalist, Composer, Arranger, Lyricist, Actress, & Educator

Fostina's unique saxophone and vocal style combines the depth of jazz with the feel of R&B and soul.

Fostina Dixon is a composer, vocalist and jazz soloist who plays soprano, alto and baritone Saxes; flute; and clarinet.  Ms. Dixon has been guest soloist with Abbey Lincoln, Barry Harris, Earl May and the Big Apple Jazzwomen.  She has also played with Gil Evans, Roy Ayers, Tom Browne, Charlie Persip, Melba Liston, Cab Calloway, Slide Hampton, Frank Foster, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Bobby Vinton, Sammy Davis, Jr., Prince, and Marvin Gaye, with whom she toured for four years.  She was a member of the Gerald Wilson, Jimmy Cleveland and Leslie Drayton big bands.

Her band “Winds of Change” has appeared at the Annual New York Women's Jazz Festival, the Annual Black Women's History Conference, the Kool Jazz Festival, Greenwich Village Jazz Festival, and the Annual Jackie Robinson Festival in Norwalk, CT.  She has also toured Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands several times.

Also, Ms. Dixon has worked with and made television appearances for shows such as the popular "NY Undercover Cop" series, WNYC Channel 31s "Perspective in Jazz," NBCs "Today in New York" with Dr. Billy Taylor and a special TV presentation "Salute to Bobby Vinton."  Fostina's extensive career has carried her into theatrical performances of the Musical Theatre Works production of "All Girl Band" and Playwrights Horizon production of "Jazz is a Lady."  She has performed at the Women's International Film Festival in New York City and "Sistefire," a festival in celebration of women artists sponsored by the Flamboyant Ladies Theatre Company.

QUOTES:

 American Women in Jazz said "she is a player of impeccable control and skills with... highly independent ideas...

Dr. Antoinette Handy, author of Black Women in American Bands describes Fostina as "a true original." 

All About Jazz says “Fostina whips out rhythmic syncopations with a blues flavor that engulf every soul within its reach.”

The legendary Leonard Feather wrote commendable reviews of her performances.

Richard Blackwell of jazzonmymind.com says, “Fostina’s talent and versatility are beyond compare. She is truly God’s gift to the jazz music we love.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

• Recipient of DE. Div. of the Arts established jazz composition 2012
• Recipient of Christi Awards, 2009
• Honored by Christina School District as Outstanding Arts Educator, 2009
• Master’s in Educational Leadership, 2008 Wilmington University
• Featured in book Black Women and Music: More Than the Blues, written by Linda Williams and Eileen Hayes, 2007
• Awarded Outstanding Contributions to the World of Jazz by the Council of Jazz Advocates, 2005
• Founder of Wilmington Youth Jazz Band, 2003
• Nominated International Woman of the Year, 2001
• Panelist for symposium in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institute, 1996
• Acknowledged in book, The Genuine American Music, Vol. 2 written by the Honorable Mayor James Baker, 1993
• Featured in Black Women in American Bands and Orchestras (Rev.Ed) written by Dr. Antoinette Handy (1993)
• Panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, 1989
• Recipient of Eubie Blake "Emerging Artist of the Year" award presented by Dr. Billy Taylor, 1986
• Featured in American Women in Jazz 1900 to the Present, by Sally Placksin, Wideview Books, 1982
• Recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts grant, 1980
• Award for Excellence in Jazz performance at Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA 1980