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…
On his new release, The Broken Arm, cellist Erik Friedlander spotlights his unique pizzicato playing—higher and more incisive than the bass, warmer than the piano, but similarly rhythmic and able to freely engage in the give-and-take essential to the jazz. The album features drummer Mike Sarin and bassist Trevor Dunn.
“While there have been a few groundbreaking practitioners, notably bassist Oscar Pettiford, the cello has a tenuous connection to jazz, and is still considered a novelty,” Friedlander said. “The cello is an untapped resource and I’m looking to create some new lasting traditions.”
The title of the CD comes from an anecdote about Oscar Pettiford: In 1949, Pettiford broke his arm playing baseball. He could still move his fingers even though his arm was in a sling, so he began experimenting with a cello a friend had lent to him. He tuned the cello like a bass only an octave higher and later recorded a series of cello-led projects. “For me Pettiford is a hero: he had a deep connection to the cello—he believed in it as a jazz instrument,” Friedlander said.
More info: erikfriedlander.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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