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…
My Point is ... is drummer Willie Jones III’s most recent long-playing album.
(Photo: Anna Yatskevich)A prime example of one such interstitial tributary was Jones’ tenure with Cedar Walton, who worked steadily with Higgins from the early ’70s until shortly before Higgins’ death in 2001. “Higgins would bring Cedar to his workshop,” Jones said. “Cedar taught us his songs, and listened to us play, critiqued us. I didn’t get close to him then, though once he called me for a couple of gigs. I knew his book the first time I played with him. After I moved to New York, he’d call me as a sub, and in 2008 I started playing with him all the time. Playing through Cedar’s songbook and his arrangements took my playing to an even more musical level.”
Having cultivated WJ3 to the point where it is self-sustaining, Jones plans to remain on the DIY pathway that Higgins advocated so assiduously. “It’s a self-investment,” Jones said. “I’m not making a profit, but I’m not losing any money. I’ve become more proficient at putting out each project. If a major label came along and said, “Not only will we put your project out, but we’ll send you on the road for a tour” or something like that—which we know isn’t going to happen ... . But under those circumstances, I would jump at the opportunity.”
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…
Roscoe Mitchell will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s Vision Festival.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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When it came time to pose for the cover of her new album, Lady In Satin — a tribute to Billie Holiday’s 1958…
