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…
Tony Williams’ Civilization is among the new entries in Blue Note’s Classic Vinyl Series.
(Photo: Courtesy Blue Note Records)From a Record Store Day Exclusive to a trio of cool Tone Poet Society releases as well as a duo of additions to the Classic Vinyl series, Blue Note has been digging into the archives, so we can now go digging in the crates!
Various Artists
Alts ’N Outs: The Other Side Of Blue Note
Blue Note
This is an RSD Exclusive compiling alternate takes from classic Blue Note sessions. The set offers diamonds from Cannonball Adderley, Grant Green, Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith and Sonny Clark. It will be offered on blue vinyl and limited to a pressing of 2,500 copies.
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recordstoreday.com
Teddy Edwards
Sunset Eyes
Blue Note/Pacific Jazz
When Blue Note annouced it’s new Tone Poet Society subscription service, the label laid out a lofty set of releases coming out this year, including tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards’ Sunset Eyes. Edwards represents the depth of what the series delivers, his legacy is that of a master of jazz deserving wider recognition. Sunset Eyes is one of two records Edwards made for the Pacific label in the 1960s and a wonderful document of his art.
bluenote.com
tonepoetsociety.com
Kenny Burrell with Art Blakey
On View At The Five Spot Café: The Complete Masters
Blue Note
Another addition to its Tone Poet collection, Blue Note offers up this classic meeting from 1959 at The Five Spot Café, a lost shrine of jazz. The three-album (two-CD) set features Tina Brooks on tenor saxophone, Roland Hanna and Bobby Timmons on piano and Ben Tucker on bass. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, the package includes never-before-seen photos and an interview with Burrell himself.
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tonepoetsociety.com
Art Pepper
Modern Art
Blue Note
Recorded in Hollywood, California, during the 1950s, Modern Art was originally released on the Intro label demonstrating the feel of West Coast cool at the time. Another Tone Poet entry on 180-gram vinyl, mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed by Record Technology Inc.
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tonepoetsociety.com
Don Pullen
New Beginnings
Blue Note
A new addition to the label’s Classic Vinyl Series, New Beginnings represents pianist Don Pullen branching out on his own in the 1980s after runs with Charles Mingus and co-leading groups with George Adams. The trio on this set is jaw-dropping with Gary Peacock on bass and Tony Williams on drums. This edition is stereo, all-analog and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Optimal. It’s mastered by Kevin Gray.
bluenote.com
Tony Williams
Civilization
Blue Note
Another entry into the Classic Vinyl Series, Civilization represents Williams’ mid-’80s return to Blue Note, which included a return to acoustic music. Featuring trumpeter Wallace Roney, saxophonist Billy Pierce, pianist Mulgrew Miller and bassist Charnett Moffett, Civilization offers eight Williams originals. The album is stereo, all-analog and mastered by Kevin Gray from the original masters. It’s pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Optimal.
bluenote.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…
“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…
