The Wiley Fosters are a band from Durham, North Carolina that was formed in 2010 by William Dawson (Turntables / Guitar). The group plays upbeat, funky instrumental music that builds upon a breakbeat foundation with rhythmic complement by Ajay Dholakia (Tabla) & Robert Cantrell (Percussion). Ellye Walsh (Flutes) spits out vicious visions emulating the late & great Herbie Mann, while Bill Newton (Harmonicas / Saxophones) brings a bluesy & soulful sensibility. Danny Spiegel (Rhodes / Mellotron Micro) uses his breadth of experience in classical & new music to allow a wider range of music for the group. Contemplating the low end theory is Dan Clouse (Tuba), whose musical doctoral depth dive bombs the deep end. The group is currently in the studio working on their upcoming latest LP.
The group is named in tribute to their great friend Mr Tater The Music Maker (née Foster Wiley) of Clarksdale, Mississippi. The Wiley Fosters try and live up to the example that the real Foster Wiley set by always having new members, new instrumentation, and new songs. As Mr. Tater famously said, “I make people happy… and I never play the same song twice neither.”
Instagram: @wileyfosters