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 lineup for George Wein’s Jazz Festival 55, which takes place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I., from Aug. 7-9. The festival, which had been in danger of ceasing to exist under Festival Network, was taken over by festival founder Wein and his new company, New Festival Productions. Tickets for the outdoor weekend shows went on sale on April 23, and the Friday night tickets will go on sale on May 13.
On Aug. 7, Etta James and the Roots Band will perform an 8 p.m. show at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. On Aug. 8-9, the music shifts to Fort Adams State Park.
The Aug. 8 lineup includes: Mos Def; Branford Marsalis Quartet; Joshua Redman Double Trio; Esperanza Spalding; Cedar Walton All-Stars with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller; Hiromi’s SonicBloom; Ernest Ranglin; Vandermark 5; Christian McBride; Vijay Iyer Trio; Marsalis Music Presents Miguel Zenón, North Carolina Central Big Band, Branford-Joey Duo, Claudia Acuña.
The Aug. 9 lineup includes: Tony Bennett; Dave Brubeck Quartet; Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band; Michel Camilo; Joe Lovano UsFive; The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis; Conversation with Christian McBride; Millennial Territory Orchestra; Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band; Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pac Coalition; Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means”; Alfredo Rodriguez; The Rodriguez Brothers.
For information on the festival, go to jazzfestival55.com, or call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055.
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…
