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…
Jon Batiste (center) performs at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on April 3.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)Jon Batiste was the big winner at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, held April 3 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The genre-busting multi-instrumentalist and bandleader took home multiple awards, including Album of the Year honors.
Grammy winners from the realms of jazz, blues and beyond included:
• Best Album of the Year: Jon Batiste, We Are
• Best Music Video: Jon Batiste: “Freedom”
• Best American Roots Song: Jon Batiste, “Cry”
• Best American Roots Performance: Jon Batiste, “Cry”
• Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: Jon Batiste, Soul
• Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Skyline
• Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Christian McBride Big Band, For Jimmy, Wes And Oliver
• Best Jazz Vocal Album: Esperanza Spalding, Songwrights Apothecary Lab
• Best Improvised Jazz Solo: Chick Corea, “Humpty Dumpty (Set 2)”
• Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Tyler Eigsti, Tree Falls
• Best Instrumental Composition: Lyle Mays, “Eberhard”
• Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella: Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman, “Meta Knight’s Revenge”
• Best Contemporary Blues Album: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, 662
• Best Bluegrass Album: Béla Fleck, My Bluegrass Heart
• Best Global Musical Performance: Arooj Aftab, “Mohabbat”
• Best Global Music Album: Angélique Kidjo, Mother Nature
• Best Album Notes: Ricky Riccardi, The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia and RCA Victor Studio Sessions 1946–1966
For a complete list of this year’s winners, visit the Recording Academy’s Grammy website. 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…
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