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…
Dorthaan Kirk, who retired from WBGO in 2018, is among the 2020 NEA Jazz Masters.
(Photo: David Tallacksen/WBGO)A ceremony to honor the 2020 NEA Jazz Masters is set to take place online at 8 p.m. Aug. 20. The event will be MC’d by vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, a 2017 recipient of the award.
The pivot online comes after the coronavirus pandemic disallowed events planned for April at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, where curator/producer Dorthaan Kirk, singer Bobby McFerrin, saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell and bassist Reggie Workman were to be recognized for their contributions to the music.
“While we were disappointed to have to postpone last April’s events, this virtual concert will be an opportunity to bring together jazz fans around the world in celebration of the 2020 NEA Jazz Masters,” Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said in a press release. “We appreciate the creativity and dedication of all involved, from the staff at SFJAZZ to the many musicians who are performing in honor of the recipients, so that we can continue our agency’s long tradition of honoring great individuals in jazz.”
The award—established in 1982—has been given to 157 figures associated with jazz who are nominated by the public, considered by a panel of judges and then reviewed by the National Council on the Arts. A recommendation is made to the organization’s chairperson, who then makes a final decision on the awardees.
The streamed event—which can be viewed on arts.gov and sfjazz.org—is set to include remote performances by Terri Lyne Carrington (music director for the proceedings), Ambrose Akinmusire, James Carter, Gerald Clayton, Oliver Lake, Madison McFerrin, Junius Paul, Steve Turre, the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars and others.
Following the initial broadcast, a video of the event will be available at arts.gov. 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…
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.…
“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.”
Jun 17, 2025 11:12 AM
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…
