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…
Miguel Zenón’s third Marsalis Music release, Awake will be released April 1. It follows the alto saxophonist’s 2005 Jíbaro, a reinterpretation of the rural music of Zenón’s native Puerto Rico.
“The focus is more personal and philosophical than Jíbaro,” Zenón said. “Although that album also has a central theme. I wrote all of the music for Awake, and the individual compositions fell into an order around one of the older tunes, ‘Awakening,’ which represents a period of personal growth I went through. What resulted was an awareness of my priorities, and how I want to portray myself as an artist.”
Zenón incorporates the use of Fender Rhodes on four tracks, a string quartet and a three-piece horn section.
“I felt that the Rhodes would create a different sonic flow and push the music in different directions,” he said. “And once I realized that ‘Awakening’ would serve as a connection between the various elements of the record, I decided to add a string quartet for two tracks.”
The members of Zenón’s working band include Luis Perdomo on piano and Fender Rhodes, Hans Glawischnig on bass and Henry Cole on drums.
More info: marsalismusic.com
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.…
