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…
“Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever,” says Whitaker of baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett.
(Photo: Lynne Brown)At 56, Rodney Whitaker, professor of jazz bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University, is equally distinguished in his parallel careers as educator and performer. A son of Detroit, Whitaker’s performance c.v. includes consequential tenures with Roy Hargrove (1991–’95) and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (1996–2004) and 13 leader albums, most recently Mosaic: The Music Of Gregg Hill (Origin). This is Whitaker’s first Blindfold Test.
Eric Reed Trio
“Harlemania: Drop Me Off In Harlem/Harlem Nocturne/Take The ‘A’ Train” (Manhattan Melodies, Verve, 1999) Reed, piano; Reginald Veal, bass; Gregory Hutchinson, drums; Duke Ellington, composer.
This could be so many people. It sounds a bit like John Clayton. Or Russell Hall. Martin Wind? The piano player sounds like Benny Green. No? I don’t know who it is. [afterwards] You totally fooled me. I wasn’t expecting that. I remember this. Great record. I should have guessed Eric because he’s one of my favorite pianists to play with — great touch, so adventurous, can play any style of jazz. I played with Greg every night with Roy Hargrove, and we made a lot of records together — he’s one of my favorites. He and Reginald sound good together. I joined Wynton after he and Ben Wolfe left. I also followed him and then Bob Hurst with the Harrison-Blanchard Quintet after Bob left in 1988 to go with Tony Williams. Veal has such a big sound, a beautiful touch and great intonation. He was one of the first people in the ’80s to play without an amp. I hadn’t heard many recordings where he plays solos. 5 stars.
Kaisa Mäensivu
“Moon Waves” (Moving Parts, Greenleaf Music, 2025) Mäensivu, bass, composer; Sasha Berliner, vibraphone; Max Light, guitar; Eden Ladin, piano; Joe Peri, drums.
Linda Oh? Dave Holland? I’m thinking of this bassist’s lyricism and a similar sound. The piece is beautiful. Because I grew up in a hard-bop town, people typically think that I might not like something like this — but I do. I like the guitarist’s sound, too. 4 stars. [afterwards] It’s great to hear the conclusions young musicians come to. I think more people are playing at a high level now than when I was a kid. But they don’t have any gigs.
Ornette Coleman
“Mob Job” (Sound Museum: Hidden Man, Verve/Harmolodic, 1996) Coleman, alto saxophone, composer; Geri Allen, piano; Charnett Moffett, bass; Denardo Coleman, drums.
Ornette Coleman. The bass player is playing a Charlie Haden style but with more chops. I heard him double up the bass line a bit. Gary Peacock? This is tough. The pianist reminds me a lot of Keith Jarrett. 5 stars. [afterwards] I’ve listened to this. I always looked up to Charnett musically. He was six, seven months older than me. He came out of the gate as a teenager, playing with Wynton and Ornette. He was an extraordinarily gifted player who died too young. I should have known that was Geri. I wasn’t thinking of her. I could hear a little Keith Jarrett and Andrew Hill in her playing. She’s my hometown hero. Such an influence. I recorded with her, and in 2017 I started a group in Detroit called the Gathering Orchestra, named for one of her tunes. It’s amazing that she knew so much music at such a young age and was exposed to so many different things. 5 stars.
Robert Hurst
“3 For Lawrence” (Bob A Palindrome, Bebob, 2001/2013) Hurst, bass, composer; Bennie Maupin, flute; Marcus Belgrave, trumpet; Branford Marsalis, tenor saxophone; Robert Glasper, piano; Jeff “Tain” Watts, drums; Adam Rudolph, percussion.
I’d know Bob’s sound anywhere, especially his arco playing. It’s very creative. He has a unique approach to the instrument, influenced by masters like Paul Chambers and Ron Carter, but also deeply influenced by Dave Holland in his virtuosity and rhythmic freedom. He’s always been a mentor-hero, just a few years older than me, and I tried to do the things I saw him do, make my own recordings and so on. That’s Marcus Belgrave, who was one of my mentors. 5 stars. [afterwards] I didn’t know Robert Glasper recorded with Bob.
Scott Colley/Edward Simon/Brian Blade
“The Thicket” (Three Visitors, GroundUP, 2024) Colley, bass, composer; Simon, piano; Blade, drums.
Is this a 1960s recording or more modern? I really dig the drummer, who reminds me of Gerald Cleaver. Nice pianist, too. Likes Cecil Taylor. They were burning. It’s good to hear music like that, with no chord progressions, and people playing it at such a high level, with great chops and swinging in its own way. I don’t know who they are. 5 stars. [afterwards] Three of the best. Scott is an incredible bass player. I had a chance to play with Brian on Kenny Garrett’s album, Pursuance, and with Edward when we were both with Terence Blanchard.
James Carter
“Composition 40Q” (Conversin’ With The Elders, Atlantic, 1995) Carter, bass saxophone; Hamiet Bluiett, baritone saxophone; Craig Taborn, piano; Jaribu Shahid, bass; Tani Tabbal, drums; Anthony Braxton, composer.
James Carter. He’s flying all over the horns. [There are two saxophonists.] Is the other one Hamiet Bluiett? I remember they did a project together. Hamiet was one of the most underrated musicians ever. When people decide to play on the avant-garde side of jazz, they’re sometimes undervalued by the public. Craig Taborn on piano, and I venture to guess Jaribu Shahid and Tani Tabbal. I grew up checking out Jaribu, and I’ve been playing with Craig since he was 17 or 18. He’s not from Detroit, but he went to the University of Michigan, when he played in a group with all of us — Gerald Cleaver, James, Cassius Richmond and Dwight Adams. I grew up with a strong bebop and hard-bop tradition, but our heroes were the musicians from the AACM. I used to do my homework to this kind of music. 5 stars. DB
The “Blindfold Test” is a listening test that challenges the featured artist to discuss and identify the music and musicians who performed on selected recordings. The artist is then asked to rate each tune using a 5-star system. No information is given to the artist prior to the test.
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…
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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…
