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…
This year’s Syracuse Jazz Festival, which will be held from June 23 to 25 at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, N.Y., will salute three American cities.
On Friday, June 23, the festival will start with a “Salute To Detroit,” with headliners David “Fathead” Newman’s Tribute To Ray Charles (featuring Howard Johnson and Detroit’s Marcus Belgrave) and The Funk Brothers of Motown Records fame. Saturday’s concerts will pay tribute to New Orleans with C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Marcia Ball and Dr. John. Cornell Dupree and Les McCann will close out the festival on Sunday with an homage to Memphis.
“By creating dedicated theme nights at the 2006 festival that celebrate and salute three of America’s most renowned musical hubs, we were able to put together a diverse musical lineup that doubles as a history lesson in American popular culture,” said Syracuse Jazz Fest founder and artistic director Frank Malfitano.
For more information go to
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… 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.… “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…
In other news... DownBeat's Most Read Stories
In Memoriam: Al Foster, 1943–2025
Vision Festival Releases Full Lineup, Honors Roscoe Mitchell
Could Midwest Jazz Collective Change the Future of Touring?
Theo Croker’s Dream … Manifested!
Kandace Springs Sings Billie Holiday
