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…
Each year, The Jazz Journalist Association—a nonprofit that supports mediamakers in jazz—offers up a list of notable advocates of the genre who have worked to better their local scenes. This year’s honorees, which were announced Saturday, are below.
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Deanna Relyea
Atlanta: Gwen Redding
Baltimore: Sean Jones
Bay Area, California: Richard Hadlock
Birmingham: Leah Tucker
Boston: Ran Blake
Brooklyn, New York: Matthew Garrison & Fortuna Sung
Capital Region, New York: Susan Cohen Brink
Charlotte, North Carolina: Lonnie & Ocie Davis
Chicago: Harriet Choice
Cleveland: Terri Pontremoli
Denver, Colorado: Norman Provizer
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Dr. Ronald B. Weber
Hartford, Connecticut: Ed Krech
Indianapolis: Albert Coleman
Los Angeles: Billy Mitchell
Minneapolis: Patty Peterson
New York: Roberta Alloway
Philadelphia: Anthony Tidd
Portland, Oregon: Ron Steen
Seattle: Jay Thomas
St. Louis: Gene Dobbs Bradford
Tallahassee, Florida: Jan & Mark Pudlow
Washington, DC: Sunny Sumter
JJA’s full announcement can be read 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.
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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.”
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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…
