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…
Chicagoland’s Ravinia Festival will host this year’s Jazz In June festival-within-a-festival from June 10–13.
Under the artistic direction of Ramsey Lewis, Jazz In June features four days of jazz shows supplemented by master classes, preview concerts and after-concert sets by a range of musicians.
Trumpeter Roy Hargrove hosts a 4 p.m. master class on June 10 to get it all started. Henry Johnson’s Organ Express will play a preview concert on the main stage at 6 p.m., followed by sets from headliners Medeski Martin & Wood and Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor. A postlude will feature James Moody, Rufus Reid and artists from the Steans Institute.
On June 11, pianist Renee Rosnes holds a 4 p.m. master class, followed by a preview concert from James Moody. Oscar Peterson will return to Ravinia to headline that evening. Afterwards, the Steans Institute is back with help from Danilo Perez.
Latin jazz is the focus on June 12, with a 3 p.m. master class from percussionist Milton Cardona and a 5 p.m. preview concert from the Ravinia Jazz Mentors and Scholars. The Lincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra will headline that night.
The last night, June 13, gets started with a preview concert by Oscar Brown Jr. and Maggie Brown at 5 p.m. The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Marian McPartland Trio and Ramsey Lewis Trio will close out the festivities starting at 7 p.m.
For tickets or more information about seating options and times, visit www.ravinia.org
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…
“Branford’s playing has steadily improved,” says younger brother Wynton Marsalis. “He’s just gotten more and more serious.”
May 20, 2025 11:58 AM
Branford Marsalis was on the road again. Coffee cup in hand, the saxophonist — sporting a gray hoodie and a look of…
“What did I want more of when I was this age?” Sasha Berliner asks when she’s in her teaching mode.
May 13, 2025 12:39 PM
Part of the jazz vibraphone conversation since her late teens, Sasha Berliner has long come across as a fully formed…
Roscoe Mitchell will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s Vision Festival.
May 27, 2025 6:21 PM
Arts for Art has announced the full lineup for the 2025 Vision Festival, which will run June 2–7 at Roulette…
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…