Pianist and bandleader Antonio Foster was inspired by his grandmother, a church pianist, and began studying privately at age 9. He started playing jazz by age 13, attending Central Visual and Performing Arts and participating in Jazz St. Louis’ JazzU program. Foster then took his talents to Northern Illinois University under the tutelage of East St. Louis native Reggie Thomas. Foster has since become one of the top call jazz pianists and keyboardists in St. Louis and serves as faculty for Soul Shed University, teaching music notation.