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 Blind Boys of Alabama will tour the U.S. this fall in support of their new album Higher Ground (Real World Records). They will play dates across the
country including shows at the House of Blues in L.A. on Sept. 18, an appearance at this year’s Austin City Limits Festival held on Sept. 28, as well as two performances in New York City at the at the 2002 Jammy Awards on October 2, and the Bowery Ballroom on Oct. 3. In addition to this extensive fall tour, the Blind Boys will be the subject of a profile by Dan Rather on the season premier of 60 Minutes II, scheduled to air Sept. 25. They will also appear on the Late Show with David Letterman on Oct. 28 performing new material from Higher Ground.
Higher Ground combines new Blind Boys takes on traditional material with distinctive covers of songs by Prince, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Funkadelic, Jimmy Cliff and Ben Harper. Building on the success of last year’s Grammy winning album Spirit Of The Century, Higher Ground captures the energy of the Blind Boys’ dynamic live performances.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will continue to tour well into 2003, with these dates to be announced soon. Current tour dates are:
Sept. 1: Genoa, Nev., Sierra Starlight Amphitheater Sept 2.: Sausalito, Calif., Sausalito Arts Festival Sept. 12: Boulder, Colo., The Fox Theater Sept 14 & 15, Telluride, Colo., Telluride Blues and Brews Festival Sept. 17: San Juan Capistrano, Calif., The Coach House Sept. 19: West Hollywood, Calif., House of Blues Sept. 20: Bishop, Calif., Millpond Music Festival Sept. 22: West Sacramento, Calif., Riverwalk Park Sept. 24: Chicago, Symphony Center Sept. 26: Memphis, Tenn., Memphis Botanic Gardens Sept. 28: Austin, Texas, Austin City Limits Festival Oct. 2: New York, The Jammy Awards Oct. 3: New York, Bowery Ballroom Oct. 4: Glenside, Pa., The Keswick Theater Nov. 2: New Orleans, Voodoo Music Experience
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.
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You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…
