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…
Wayne Shorter had some thrilling surprises up his sleeve during his Friday night concert at the International Festival de Jazz de Montreal. His superb quartet—which featured drummer Brian Blade, bassist John Patitucci and pianist Geoffrey Keezer (substituting for Danilo Perez, who is recovering from a foot injury)—performed with the spontaneity and glee of children on a playground. Shorter projected with enormous tone on tenor and soprano saxes, filling Montreal’s Theatre Maisonneuve with unexpected blasts of sound reinforced by his band of aces. Keezer thrilled the audience as well with bursts of excitement and creativity that appropriately complemented Shorter’s in-the-moment vibe.
Tony Bennett turned in a classy, elegant show that touched on a couple dozen standards from his usual repertoire and featured short-and-sweet instrumental solos from his four trusty accompanists. A consummate performer, Bennett nailed the high notes, addressed his audience graciously and even did a couple of quick dance-spins on stage for dramatic (and slightly comical) effect. Earlier Friday evening, Le Large Ensemble got the weekend off to a loose and casual start with set of freeplay featuring some of Canada’s finest improvisers at L’Astral, a new club on the festival scene.
Saxophonist Joshua Redman began his three-night Invitation series on Saturday, July 4, with a quartet gig featuring Aaron Parks on piano, Matt Penman on bass and Eric Harland on drums. On Sunday, Redman’s show will be a quintet with fellow saxophonist Joe Lovano, pianist Sam Yahel, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. His residency concludes Monday night, July 6, with a daring double-trio concert (featuring various combinations of Hutchinson, Brian Blade, Rogers and Larry Grenadier) that will draw on material from his latest CD, Compass.
Other highlights from Saturday included performances by the historic Dave Brubeck Quartet (with son Matt Brubeck sitting in on cello), pianist Gerald Clayton’s highly accessible trio of dreadlocked mates and the always fresh-sounding Brian Blade Fellowship. —Ed Enright
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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