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…
Blade will lead multiple performances during this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival.
(Photo: Courtesy Detroit Jazz Festival)Brian Blade has been named Artist-in-Residence for this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival, which will be held Aug. 30–Sept. 2 (Labor Day weekend) in downtown Detroit. The two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer, composer and bandleader is also a highly sought-after sideman and collaborator.
As the 2024 Artist-in-Residence, Blade will support Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation educational initiatives for students and community engagement activities across the region throughout the year. In addition, Blade will lead multiple diverse performances during the festival on Labor Day weekend. Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band will also perform at a sneak peek for the new Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the campus of Wayne State University on April 10 during the Detroit Jazz Festival Preview Event, which will be livestreamed for free on detroitjazzfest.org. The Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center is scheduled to open to the public later this fall.
“Brian Blade’s career, beginning with his gospel roots in Shreveport, Louisiana, to his ascension to becoming one of the most acclaimed jazz drummers in the country, is a shining testament to his dedication and commitment to jazz and its evolutions,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. “His legacy and contributions to this year’s festival will be greatly appreciated by our fans and the entire global jazz community.”
Over the 25 years The Fellowship Band has existed, the group has released seven recordings, including Fellowship (1998), Perceptual (2000), Season Of Changes (2008), Landmarks (2014), Body And Shadow (2017), Live From The Archives (2022) and Kings Highway (2023).
For more information, click HERE. 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…
