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…
University Of The Arts in Philadelphia is among the 212 schools listed in this year’s Student Music Guide.
(Photo: Kevin Merinsky/University Of The Arts)DownBeat’s annual Student Music Guide contains essential information for students who are preparing to enter college or graduate school. This comprehensive guide includes detailed school listings, complete with deadlines, costs and key faculty members. Plus, we’ve got the DownBeat Jazz Education Awards, as well as articles that explore the challenges jazz education programs face due to the pandemic. DB
• The Importance Of A Music Degree: Jazz educators offer insights on the value of a music degree in the current environment, where online learning is a necessity for so many students.
• Best Practices For Online Music Instruction: Jazz educators explore the keys to “getting it right” when it comes to remote learning for student musicians.
• Teaching Asynchronous Ensembles: Jazz educators discuss their approaches to ensemble courses, now that it’s impossible for many combos and bands to assemble in the same room.
• Robert ‘Doc’ Morgan Demanded Excellence
• Lee Secard Sets High Standards
• Tina Raymond Leads By Example
• Academic Programs Restructure Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
• Schools Devise Multiple Plans For Fall
These stories originally were published in the August, September and October 2020 issues of DownBeat. Subscribe here.
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…