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…
Herbie Hancock will spend the spring and summer receiving honorary degrees, performing with pianist Lang Lang, and appearing as a guest with the American Ballet Theater.
On May 9, the pianist will receive a doctor of music from Loyola University in New Orleans, and on May 16 Hancock will deliver the commencement address to the Bentley University/McCallum Graduate School of Business in Waltham, Mass., and be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Prior to the Bentley address, Hancock will perform with Lang Lang on May 14 at the Classical Brit Awards at Royal Albert Hall in London. Other U.S. shows in the Hancock-Lang Lang Dueling Pianos Tour (which will go to European festivals in July) include:
July 28: Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, Ill., with Chicago Symphony
July 30: Mann Center, Philadelphia, with Philadelphia Orchestra
Aug. 1: NJPAC, Newark, N.J., with New Jersey Symphony
Aug. 7-8: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, with LA Philharmonic
On May 18, Hancock will be the guest artist performing at American Ballet Theatre’s 2009 Spring Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House.
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…
