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 North Texas Jazz Festival will celebrate its eighth year at a new location.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Addison, Texas, will serve as the new location for the three-day invitational featuring more than 50 big bands, combos and vocal jazz groups representing universities, community colleges, high schools and middle schools from across the United States. The event closes with a private performance by David Binney.
Wednesday’s concert includes a private performance from the Two O’Clock Lab Band. The North Texas Jazz Singers and the One O’Clock Lab Band will perform Thursday evening. Student performers selected as “outstanding” will appear on stage, along with saxophonist Binney, who will also perform on Friday night as part of the event’s finale.
Although the evening concerts are exclusive to the festival attendees, the public is invited to participate in several activities throughout the North Texas Jazz Festival. On Thursday, master classes with UNT staff will be held. On April 4, Binney will present a Question and Answer session. Throughout the entire festival, the public is invited to attend any of the school performances. Additionally, noted jazz film collector Hal Miller will be presenting rare jazz films from his personal archive.
More info: ntjazzfest.unt.edu
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…
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…
To record Dream Manifest (Dom Recs), Croker convened artists from his current and recent past ensembles, plus special guests.
Jun 10, 2025 4:13 PM
Partway through his early set at Smoke Jazz Club, Theo Croker blinks the room back into focus. He leans over the piano.…