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…
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation is launching Sync Up, an initiative to connect the independent musicians of Louisiana with professional music buyers from around the world who will be in New Orleans for Jazz Fest.
The project is the result of a partnership between the foundation and three agencies of the Louisiana state government: Louisiana Economic Development, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
“We have long known that many music business people from around the world come to Jazz Fest,” said Don Marshall, the Foundation’s executive director. “For us, the goal is to find the right way to leverage the festival’s impact for the benefit of the local music industry–especially our performing artists.”
Sync Up’s goal is to connect independent artists with festival promoters, who hire bands for well-paying live performances, and music supervisors, who select music to be licensed for use in films, TV shows, commercials, videogames and other visual media.
For festival promoters, the foundation will host a series of breakfasts on both Jazz Fest weekends that will feature panel discussions with visiting festival buyers, digital media distributors and others.
More info: jazzandheritage.org/syncup
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.…
