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…
Julian Lage (left) and Don Was
(Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Records)This week’s streaming highlights feature Julian Lage in conversation with Don Was, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic gala, the kickoff of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival and Ramsey Lewis playing songs from Black Orpheus and more. As always, a fee is associated with some of the material listed, and some items have been sourced from WBGO, WDCB and WWOZ. Please support jazz radio. DB
Available now: First Look with Julian Lage and Don Was
Available now: CSO Sessions Episode 21: Nicole Mitchell and Wadada Leo Smith. Available through July 9. (Chicago)
June 22: Jazz: The Asian American Connection
June 23: Clovis Nicolas Quartet at Bar Bayeux (Brooklyn)
June 23: Gustavo Cortinas & Desafio Candente at Fulton Street Collective (Chicago)
June 23: JFA All-Star Jazz Ensemble at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
June 24: Duchess! at the Jazz Forum (New York)
June 24: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic “Think Big” Gala
June 24: Brent Birckhead Quartet at An Die Musik (Baltimore)
June 24: Marques Carroll’s Trumpet Summit at Fulton Street Collective (Chicago)
June 24: Alyssa Allgood at Epiphany Center for the Arts (Chicago)
June 25–July 4: TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 25: Eli Winter at Constellation (Chicago)
June 25: Quarantunes: Down On Their Luck Orchestra at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
June 26: Ramsey Lewis, Songs From Black Orpheus And Other Movies
June 26: The Trio Waz at Constellation (Chicago)
June 27: Third Coast Percussion at Constellation (Chicago)
June 27: John Lamkin Favorites Quintet at An Die Musik (Baltimore)
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…
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…
James Brandon Lewis earned honors for Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year. Three of his recordings placed in the Albums of the Year category.
Jul 17, 2025 12:44 PM
You see before you what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive Critics Poll in the history of jazz. DownBeat…