Jun 3, 2025 11:25 AM
In Memoriam: Al Foster, 1943–2025
Al Foster, a drummer regarded for his fluency across the bebop, post-bop and funk/fusion lineages of jazz, died May 28…
The lineup for the 2009 NYC Winter Jazzfest was announced yesterday. The festival will take place Saturday, Jan. 10, at three venues around New York’s West Village—Le Poisson Rouge, Sullivan Hall and Kenny’s Castaways. This year’s shows mark the fifth year of the annual Winter Jazzfest and its continued mission to showcase jazz and experimental music.
Similar to past years, the 2009 Winter Jazzfest provides an opportunity for artists to perform in front of presenters, promoters, educators, musicians and fans, as more than 5000 arts professionals will be in New York for the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference held Jan. 9–13. Winter Jazzfest offers APAP conference attendees, and the general public, the opportunity to experience the best of new live jazz and experimental music in club venue settings.
The 2009 NYC Jazzfest includes performances by more than 20 artists and groups, including the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, the Dafnis Prieto Sextet, Theo Bleckmann with Todd Reynolds String Quartet and Jason Moran’s Bandwagon. This year’s festival features a special pre-release concert by Jeff “Tain” Watts entitled The Watts Project, including Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride and Prometheus Jenkins. The group will perform new music from their CD WATTS, A Socio-Political Concept Album.
More info: winterjazzfest.com
Foster was truly a drummer to the stars, including Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson.
Jun 3, 2025 11:25 AM
Al Foster, a drummer regarded for his fluency across the bebop, post-bop and funk/fusion lineages of jazz, died May 28…
Benny Benack III and his quartet took the Midwest Jazz Collective’s route for a test run this spring.
Jun 3, 2025 10:31 AM
The time and labor required to tour is, for many musicians, daunting at best and prohibitive at worst. It’s hardly…
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…
“There’s nothing quite like it,” Springs says of working with an orchestra. “It’s 60 people working in harmony in the moment. Singing with them is kind of empowering but also humbling at the same time.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…