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…
Bassist Andy González, who died April 9, frequently worked with his brother, the trumpeter and percussionist Jerry González (1949–2018).
(Photo: Jazz at Lincoln Center)Bassist Andy González, who was famous for the influential Latin-jazz recordings he made with the Fort Apache Band, died on April 9. According to an NPR article, the cause of death was complications from a pre-existing illness. He was 69.
During his long career, González worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Eddie Palmieri, Steve Turre, Papo Vazquez, Bill O’Connell, Ray Barretto, Arturo O’Farrill and others.
He and his brother—the trumpeter and conga player Jerry González (1949–2018)—cofounded the Fort Apache Band, whose albums in the 1980s included The River Is Deep, Obatalá and Rumba Para Monk.
He received Grammy nominations for his work on Crossroads (1994) and Pensativo (1995), both credited to Jerry González and the Fort Apache Band.
In 2016, Andy González released the leader album Entre Colegas on the Truth Revolution Records label, earning another Grammy nomination, this time in the category Best Latin Jazz Album.
He was profiled in the June 2016 issue of DownBeat by journalist Ted Panken, who described the mid-’60s jam sessions that occurred at the González siblings’ home in the South Brox, attracting such musicians as Gillespie, Machito, Kenny Dorham, Jackie McLean, Larry Young and Rubén Blades.
“There were elements of that spirit—to play with abandon and grab some of the jams, González said, comparing the recording sessions for Entre Colegas with those informal jams. “I played with as much abandon as I could.”
In the same article, bassist and Truth Revolution Records co-proprietor Luques Curtis said, “Andy is easily [the] most influential Latin-jazz bassist ever.” DB
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…
