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…
Rubén Blades makes music beyond genres with Salswing!
(Photo: José Rovira)Rubén Blades, the Panamanian-born singer, actor and activist, continues his love of big band Latin jazz and salsa with the release of Salswing! (Rubén Blades Productions), his latest release with the Roberto Delgado Orquesta.
In a letter to listeners, Blades wrote that his goals with the recording were to introduce Roberto Delgado and his orchestra to a wider audience, noting that the band was “capable of expanding its original Panamanian roots to cover other musical genres.”
Another goal, Blades said, was “to present my interest in exploring other vocal directions, and thus eliminate the stereotype that affirms that we are conditioned to only exist artistically within specific boundaries, according to our nationality.”
The album will be available in three versions. Salswing!, which dropped Friday, April 16, offers a true “mixtura” of salsa and jazz. Salsa Plus!, a more salsa-driven version presenting Afro-Cuban tunes with a few swing cuts, will be released April 23. Swing!, a jazz version of the set with a few salsa cuts, launches April 30.
“Perhaps the most important point is to exemplify that, as artists, we address our music to the world, not just to a specific segment of the population,” Blades told fans. “The concept ‘mixtura’ exposes the hope that people will accept music, no matter what the genre is, provided it is done with quality and professionalism. All of the albums today limit themselves to a specific musical direction, to fill a specific market niche. It is an economic imperative, not an artistic one.”
He went on to say that Salswing! delivers music from two genres that could appeal to wide variety of listeners.
“Understanding that some people, at first, may have a problem with this concept of ‘mixtura,’ we have also created separate editions emphasizing genres,” he said.
“When people ask me what kind of musician I am, I just stare at them,” he concluded. “When they ask me what do I play, my answer is: ‘Music!’” 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…
