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…
Icons from the world of rock, blues, reggae, pop and country music have joined together to salute legendary piano man Fats Domino for the upcoming double CD Goin’ Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino.
The roster of musicians contributing their interpretations of classic Fats Domino songs includes Herbie Hancock (“I’m Gonna Be A Wheel”), Paul McCartney (“I Want To Walk You Home”), Tom Petty (“I’m Walkin’”), Robert Plant (“It Keeps Rainin’”), Willie Nelson (“I Hear You Knockin’”), B.B. King (“Goin’ Home”) and Norah Jones (“My Blue Heaven”). The release will also feature John Lennon’s version of Fats’ most popular song, “Ain’t That A Shame.”
The album is set for a Sept. 25 release on Vanguard Records. The tribute will help raise funds specifically earmarked for instruments to be donated to New Orleans’ public school children. Monies raised will also go toward rebuilding Fats Domino’s home and creating a community center in the Crescent City’s still ravaged Lower 9th Ward.
The Tipitina’s Foundation, a non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving the cultural legacy of New Orleans through music education for youth and providing programs that support working musicians of New Orleans and the Gulf Region, conceived and executive produced Goin’ Home. For more information about the album, see tipitinasfoundation.org.
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…
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…
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.…