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…
The Mingus Big Band performs at the Jazz Standard in New York. The club announced its permanent closure on Tuesday amid a spike in new COVID-19 cases.
(Photo: Fran Kaufman/Jazz Standard)As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on and further economic stimulus from the federal government remains in limbo, the fiscal realities of 2020 continue to impact the jazz community.
On Wednesday, New York club The Jazz Standard announced its permanent closure on Twitter.
It is with great sadness that we, along w/ @BlueSmokeNYC, share that our doors on 27th Street will remain permanently closed. The current situation surrounding COVID and #livemusic regulations precludes us from maintaining our quality & continuing to “set the standard”. @USHGNYC pic.twitter.com/rvFbey8F26
— Jazz Standard (@JazzStandardNYC) December 2, 2020
In another post to the social media site, representatives wrote, “While our physical doors may be shut, our passion to serve and entertain lives on and we are optimistic about the future and writing the next chapter of Jazz Standard. In the meantime, the club is hosting exclusive artist conversations and performances virtually.”
According to the venue’s website, it opened in late December 1999, and regularly hosted local and touring acts, including weekly engagements with the Mingus Big Band. That large ensemble, as well as saxophonist Frank Morgan, trumpeter/cornetist Dave Douglas and pianist André Previn are among the artists who recorded live albums at the venue. The vocal group Duchess recorded its most recent album there, which was released earlier this year.
In an email to DownBeat, Seth Abramson, the club’s artistic director, said, “We are dedicated to exploring our options in New York City. ... This is not goodbye.”
As news of the closure circulated, some jazz musicians headed online to offer up their own perspectives.
“Shout out to Seth Abramson, also a musician and general good egg, for doing such a good job of booking the club for decades,” pianist Ethan Iverson wrote.
Saxophonist Caroline Davis voiced a call to action: “We are all heartbroken to see that the Standard is closing. Countless experiences going to see music and playing there. ... Into the memory vaults, gone but never forgotten. Y’ALL! We gotta push our local / fed officials to roll out assistance. Don’t give up!” 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…
“Branford’s playing has steadily improved,” says younger brother Wynton Marsalis. “He’s just gotten more and more serious.”
May 20, 2025 11:58 AM
Branford Marsalis was on the road again. Coffee cup in hand, the saxophonist — sporting a gray hoodie and a look of…
“What did I want more of when I was this age?” Sasha Berliner asks when she’s in her teaching mode.
May 13, 2025 12:39 PM
Part of the jazz vibraphone conversation since her late teens, Sasha Berliner has long come across as a fully formed…
Roscoe Mitchell will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s Vision Festival.
May 27, 2025 6:21 PM
Arts for Art has announced the full lineup for the 2025 Vision Festival, which will run June 2–7 at Roulette…
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…
