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…
Samuel L. Jackson, who may be best known for his role as a hit man in Pulp Fiction , will potray a fictional blues singer named Lazurus in the upcoming film Black Snake Moan . The movie will be released in early 2007 and its accompanying soundtrack on New West Records features Jackson singing four blues standards.
While Jackson learned how to play guitar for his role, he receives support from such musicians as Alvin Youngblood Hart, Kenny Brown, Big Jack Johnson and Jason Freeman. Two of Jackson’s songs in the film—“Just Like A Bird Without A Feather” and “Alice Mae”—have been associated with R.L. Burnside.
“R.L. was definitely the zeitgeist of the film,” said Black Snake Moan‘s musical supervisor Scott Bomar.
Justin Timberlake also appears in the film, but there is no indication that he covers any blues favorites on the soundtrack.
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.…
