It wasn’t supposed to happen.

Tony Foster’s world was full of numbers, equations and calculus. The Carson Graham secondary school graduate was well on his way to a business career, having completed University of British Columbia’s commerce program.

But the Fraser MacPherson Scholarship changed it all — from numbers to music.

“I really love music and jazz,” Foster said.

Music had always been a part of his life. Like many children Foster’s musical beginning started with Royal Conservatory piano lessons. By Grade 8, he’d switched to the trumpet. Foster played in a big band at Capilano College and then later with one at UBC.

By the time Foster decided to make music his career he’d swapped his trumpet back for the piano, he said, noting after a while the trumpet hurts your face. He also got the opportunity to put all his university book knowledge to the test.

On Thursday, Oct. 5, Foster is releasing his first album, “In Between Moods,” of which the promotions, creation of his website, the album’s cover and mixes are all done by Foster. It’s taken him 12 years to get to this point and a lot of hours.

“I wanted to produce recordings that I am happy with musically (and) not have 10 CDs out with one song on each of them that I like,” Foster said.

The internet has opened some unexpected doors, he adds. After posting his songs with a website that sells music tracks, Foster has a growing fan base in Japan and was invited to play there.

“It seems like Japan is really into jazz,” he said. “I am glad I took Japanese at Capilano College as an elective.”

Foster’s music has also taken him all over Europe and in upcoming months to Salt Lake City and the Caribbean. And he doesn’t have plans to slow down any time soon.

“The great thing about jazz is when you go to another country and people’s English might not be that great, but we have this mutual language of jazz,” Foster said.

On Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Silk Purse Gallery in West Vancouver, Foster is holding his album release party. The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Joe Poole will accompany Foster on drums and Brent Gubbels on bass. There’s limited seating. For reservations call 604-925-7292. Tickets cost $15 and the gallery is located at 1570 Argyle Avenue.

–For more information on Foster and his new album “In Between Moods,” visit www.TonyFosterMusic.com.