Nov 22, 2022 2:39 PM
Al Foster, Still Learning
To call Al Foster a student of the drums is an understatement. The 79-year-old master has studied the history of jazz…
“You know, I am not as fast as I used to be,” says Foster. “But it’s more fresh ideas. I’m always coming up with new stuff when I practice.”
Nov 22, 2022 2:39 PM
To call Al Foster a student of the drums is an understatement. The 79-year-old master has studied the history of jazz…
“Roscoe Mitchell, Don Moye, Jason Moran, Amina Claudine Myers, Thomas Stanley, Nicole Mitchell — these people hugged me,” Moor Mother says.
Nov 8, 2022 12:58 PM
At the 42nd annual Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Moor Mother gave one of her most soul rattling…
“I think jazz needs more provocative personality, and it needs more sex,” Han says.
Nov 1, 2022 11:50 AM
Of all of the interesting things Connie Han said during a recent interview, this was perhaps the most unexpected: “I…
Bill Ortiz’s diverse new album Points Of View is a blend of fusion, Latin bravado and straight-up crazy jazz chops.
Oct 18, 2022 1:04 PM
Bill Ortiz’s diverse new album Points Of View is a blend of fusion, Latin bravado and straight-up crazy jazz chops.…
“I decided from that experience that I wanted to get back to the stage in a way that made me feel closer to the people,” Wright said.
Oct 11, 2022 2:00 PM
During the pandemic, Lizz Wright delved more deeply into her love of the culinary arts. With her performing on pause,…
“I work. That’s my joy,” says 80-year-old trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith.
Oct 3, 2022 10:00 PM
At 80, Wadada Leo Smith seems to be having the time of his life. He maintains a healthy diet, drinking only one cup of…
“My dad saw Hendrix open for the Monkees here in Jacksonville, and he told me it was the first time he had ever dropped acid. Pretty intense,” Trucks said,
Sep 20, 2022 2:05 PM
It is hard to fathom the depth of loss that Derek Trucks must have felt in 2017. First, his uncle Butch Trucks, a…
Ramsey Lewis takes part in a live DownBeat interview at the The Midwest Clinic in December 2009. Saxophonist Kirk Whalum (not shown) also took part in the conversation.
Sep 13, 2022 1:31 PM
It’s the week before Christmas in Chicago. The tree in Daley Plaza has been decked out and glowing — all 90 feet of…
Thana Alexa returns to the road with a new album following a series of logistical and medical setbacks.
Aug 23, 2022 1:21 PM
In 2018, Thana Alexa began booking a modest tour for ONA, the self-produced, self-released record that would earn a…
Jones sat down for a live interview last December in Chicago at the Midwest Clinic.
Jul 19, 2022 12:54 PM
Sean Jones is riding a career high right now. And he’s doing it in a very modern way. In today’s jazz world, those…
