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…
John Pizzarelli celebrates the 40th anniversary of his recording career with a nod to musicals of film and Broadway.
(Photo: Jaci Berkopec)Guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli will be hitting the road this summer with his terrific trio and a brand new album, Stage And Screen, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his recording debut. The album features 12 great tunes from the American songbook that happened to be associated with Broadway musicals and/or their film counterparts.
Catch Pizzarelli at a venue near you, including a July 8 date at Le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Just to get into the spirit, here’s a premiere of ‘You’re All The World To Me,’ from the 1951 film Royal Wedding starring Fred Astaire. Pizzarelli is joined here by bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, recent winner of the American Pianists Awards.
“The idea of taking these songs out of the context of their shows or movies was interesting to me,” Pizzarelli says. “With a new arrangement you can change the meaning of a song. That’s what we’ve been doing all of our lives as jazz musicians — trying to figure out how to make these classic songs different, whether it’s a songbook standard or a Beatles hit. It’s always a lot of fun.” DB
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…
“What did I want more of when I was this age?” Sasha Berliner asks when she’s in her teaching mode.
May 13, 2025 12:39 PM
Part of the jazz vibraphone conversation since her late teens, Sasha Berliner has long come across as a fully formed…
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…
