May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Thundercat makes his small-screen debut in a new Star Wars series episode.
(Photo: Courtesy of Disney+)Genre-busting bassist Thundercat has crossed over into film as he makes his acting debut in The Book of Boba Fett, the new Star Wars series airing on Disney+. He appears in the episode titled “Chapter 4–The Gathering Storm” as The Modifier, a body-modification artist, whatever that means.
“Thank you, John, Dave, Rob and the family at Disney and Star Wars for giving me a chance,” Thundercat said. “I have loved Star Wars my whole life, and I’m happy to be part of its legacy.”
Thundercat recently finished his largest North American headline tour following his 2021 Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album with It Is What It Is. For 2022, Thundercat has already lined up a series of tours as a headliner and opening act for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He will continue to support RHCP during the American leg of its tour as well, which kicks off in July.
Thundercat European headlining dates:
March 29 – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, UK
March 30 – Northumbria Domain, Newcastle, UK
April 1 – Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK
April 3 – O2 Academy Brixton, London, UK
April 4 – Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL
April 5 – Melkweg, Amsterdam, NL
April 6 – Élysée Montmartre, Paris, FR
April 9 – De Roma, Antwerp, BE
April 10 – Astra, Berlin, DE
April 11 – Palladium, Warsaw, PL
April 13 – Ottakringer Brauerei, Vienna, AT
April 14 – Alcatraz, Milan, IT
April 15 – Kino Šiška, Ljubljana, SI
Europe with the Red Hot Chili Peppers:
June 4 – Seville, Spain, Estadio La Cartuja De Sevilla
June 7 – Barcelona, Spain, Estadi Olimpic
June 10 – Nijmegen, Netherlands, Goffertpark
June 15 – Budapest, Hungary, Puskas Stadium
June 18 – Firenze, Italy, Firenze Rocks
June 22 – Manchester, UK, Emirates Old Trafford
June 25 – London, UK, London Stadium
June 26 – London, U, London Stadium
June 29 – Dublin, Ireland, Marlay Park
July 1 – Glasgow, UK, Bellahouston Park
July 3 – Werchter, Belgium, Rock Werchter
July 5 – Cologne, Germany, RheinEnergieStadion
July 8 – Paris, France, Stade de France
July 12 – Hamburg, Germany, Volksparkstadion
North America with Red Hot Chili Peppers:
July 23 – Denver, CO, Empower Field at Mile High
July 29 – Santa Clara, CA, Levi’s Stadium
July 31 – Los Angeles, CA, SoFi Stadium
Aug. 3 – Seattle, WA, T-Mobile Park
Aug. 6 – Las Vegas, NV, Allegiant Stadium
Aug. 10 – Atlanta, GA, Truist Park
Aug. 12 – Nashville, TN, Nissan Stadium
Aug. 14 – Detroit, MI, Comerica Park
Aug. 17 – E. Rutherford, NJ, Metlife Stadium
Aug. 19 – Chicago, IL, Soldier Field
Aug. 21 – Toronto, ON, Rogers Centre
Aug. 30 – Miami, FL, Hard Rock Stadium
Sept. 1 – Charlotte, NC, Bank of America Stadium
Sept. 3 – Philadelphia, PA, Citizens Bank Park
Sept. 8 – Washington, DC, Nationals Park
Sept. 10 – Boston, MA, Fenway Park
Sept. 15 – Orlando, FL, Camping World Stadium
Sept. 18 – Arlington, TX, Globe Life Field
DB
Onstage, Rollins would move about restlessly, thrusting his tenor sax in the air as he blew.
May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
How best to mark Miles Davis’ centennial? By allowing the stories to flow, and cross-discussions to happen.
May 26, 2026 10:40 AM
Editor’s Note: The iconic trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Davis would have turned 100 today (May 26, 2026).…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
