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 Concord Music Group released Tuesday the second part of its reissue series, Keepnews Collection, which spotlights classic albums originally produced by the legendary jazz producer Orrin Keepnews.
The collection, remastered in 24-bit from the original master tapes, spotlights pianist Bill Evans’ Everybody Digs Bill Evans (originally recorded on Riverside Records, 1958), trumpeter Chet Baker’s Chet (Riverside, 1958-1959), saxophonist Jimmy Heath Orchestra’s Really Big (Riverside, 1960), drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ Caravan (Riverside, 1962) and vocalist Flora Purim’s Butterfly Dreams (Milestone Records, 1973).
In his written introduction to the series, Keepnews notes, “Each [album] is of special importance to me—some because of the initial impact they made, others because they have particular personal meaning or may present a performer whose value has not been fully appreciated.”
Each reissue includes the original liner notes, as well as new commentaries from Keepnews. In addition, all the discs, with the exception of Purim’s, feature bonus tracks.
For more information, visit concordmusicgroup.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…
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