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…
Songwriters wishing to enter this year’s International Songwriting Competition only have until September 15 to send in their compositions.
Professional and amateur bands, solo artists and songwriters from all over the world are eligible to win in any of the 13 categories: Jazz, Blues, Pop/Top 40, Rock, Country, Roots/Americana, R&B/Hip-Hop, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, World, Gospel/Christian, Dance/Electronica, Lyrics Only and a special Teen category for songwriters 18 years old and younger.
The ISC offers over $100,000 in prizes and the chance to get your music heard by high-profile judges from the music industry including B.B. King, Pat Metheny, Bruce Lundvall, Guru and *NSYNC. Submissions are judged on the basis of creativity, originality, lyrics, melody and composition.
Promoting excellence in the field of songwriting, the ISC is, according to the New York Times, “thesongwriting competition to take note of.”
For more information, go to www.songwritingcompetition.com
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…
