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…
Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Ill., has released the schedule for its Jazz in June Festival, June 15-18. A festival highlight is a tribute to New Orleans, with Dr. John, the Neville Brothers and New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis performing on June 16.
The four-day festival kicks off on June 15 with Pat Metheny and vibraphonist Gary Burton joined by bass player Steve Swallow and drummer Antonio Sanchez. This main-event concert begins at 8 p.m., but the music begins when trombonist Brent Wallarab presents a master class at 4 p.m. in Bennett-Gordon Hall. Between the class and the concert, Rufus Reid and Linear Surroundings play a Jazz Prelude show at 6 p.m. in the Martin Theatre. As with every night, there will be a late show, artist to be announced, in Bennett-Gordon Hall.
The next night on the main stage is the New Orleans tribute, before which alto saxophonist Charlie Young gives a master class at 4:30 p.m. in Bennett-Gordon Hall and Ravinia’s Jazz Mentors and Students perform in a Martin Theatre Jazz Prelude concert at 6 p.m.
Vocalist Madeleine Peyroux appears in the Martin Theatre at 7:30 p.m. June 17, before which bass player James King presents a master class at 3 p.m. in Bennett-Gordon Hall.
The jazz festival concludes on June 18 with a Father’s Day celebration of the Big Bands. Ravinia will set up a dance floor on the north lawn, so guests can jitterbug, strut and swing. The Women’s Board of Ravinia Festival will host a dance contest at the lighted canopy-covered dance floor. The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra with special guest Sylvia McNair perform the music of Quincy Jones and Oliver Nelson. Then Jeff Lindberg’s Chicago Jazz Orchestra, featuring Eric Schneider, salutes clarinet masters Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. The main-stage show ends with Jon Faddis conducting The Chicago Jazz Ensemble featuring Ramsey Lewis. Lewis is the artistic director of Jazz in June.
The purchase of a single pavilion or lawn ticket to the main event concert provides free first-come, first-served seating to master classes, jazz preludes and late show performances. Late Show concerts begin approximately 30 minutes after main events conclude and are not broadcast to the lawn. A Jazz Passport ($120 for reserved seats or $30 for lawn) will get the bearer into all Jazz in June events.
For more infomation, go to ravinia.org.
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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