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…
Blues singer and Alligator recording artist Shemekia Copeland, who recently picked up her 4th W.C. Handy Blues Award (for Contemporary Female Artist Of The Year), is currently finishing work on a follow-up to her Grammy-nominated CD, Wicked. The as-yet-untitled album is being recorded in New York and produced by Dr. John, and will be released in mid-September of this year. Copeland, along with songwriter John Hahn, shares some of the writing credits on the album. Dr. John also contributed songs, plays piano and sings a duet with Copeland. The album features members of both Dr. John’s and Shemekia’s touring bands.
On June 1, Copeland headlined the Chicago Blues Festival, singing in front of 100,000 ecstatic blues fans. At one point, Copeland stepped away from the microphone to sing the final verse of her father’s (the late Johnny Clyde Copeland) “Ghetto Child,” her voice carrying, unamplified, to the far reaches of the outdoor venue.
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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