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…
Saxophonist John Ellis will tour the West Coast in October to promote his recent disc, By A Thread (Hyena). Ellis’ group features guitarist Mike Moreno, bassist Alan Hampton and drummer Derrek Phillips. Pianist Aaron Parks will join the band for its appearances at Yoshi’s in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 18 and Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, Calif., the following day.
Along with the Yoshi’s and Kuumbwa concerts, Ellis’ band will perform at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Oct. 11, JazzBones in Tacoma, Wash., on Oct. 12, The Upstage in Port Townsend, Wash., on Oct. 13, The Goodfoot Lounge in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 14, Sam Bond’s Garage in Eugene, Ore., on Oct. 15, The Mobius in Ashland, Ore., on Oct. 16, Six Rivers Brewery in McKinleyville, Calif., on Oct. 17, California State University–Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif., on Oct. 20, Knitting Factory AltKnit in Los Angeles on Oct. 21 and Dizzy’s in San Diego, Calif., on Oct. 22.
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…
