Al Foster

Jerome Sabbagh: Heart

by Chris May
August 16, 2024

AAJ occasionally publishes reviews which call out the barbarism of digital-only albums (Heart is not one of these, please hang on in there). Item: the review of Brazilian saxophonist and flautist Vinicius Mendes' Macunaismo Tardio Vol. 1&2 (Notes On A Journey, 2024). The two albums collected on that vinyl double-LP, blinders both, were originally released separately as digital-only albums. Unsurprisingly, each failed to make any significant impact on jazz audiences either in Brazil or internationally. Notes On A Journey eventually ...

Al Foster Quintet at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club

by Chris DeRosa
February 1, 2024

Al Foster Quintet 81st Birthday Celebration Smoke Jazz & Supper Club January 27, 2024 Hello, my name is Chris DeRosa and this is what I heard... Smoke is a great venue to hear timeless jazz. Established in 1999 and located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the sound and layout make it a highly enjoyable venue to catch some of New York's finest. And as expected, tonight's show did not disappoint.

The Electric Years Box Set

by Mike Jurkovic
November 9, 2023

In a year that has brought us a true bounty of previously unheard majesty including Evenings at the Village Gate: John Coltrane with Eric Dolphy (Impulse!), and Bill Evans; Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings from Denmark (1965-1969), (Elemental Music) it is only fitting that Miles Davis get his due. And in a very, very big way. Seared into modern memory, modern art, the music presented on the gloriously massive, eleven LP set Miles Davis: The Electric Years ...

Al Foster: Inspirations and Dedications

by Peter J. Hoetjes
June 14, 2019

On paper Al Foster's resume as a supporting artist reads better than most other jazz drummers. He's recorded albums with Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, Frank Morgan, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner}, and a comeback-era {Miles Davis, among a plethora of others. Chances are, those who aren't familiar with his name have heard him somewhere, and for the first time since 2002, they can hear him on Inspirations And Dedications as a band leader. As its title suggests, the album ...

23th Punta del Este Jazz in Uruguay (First Night)

by Pablo Reyes
January 8, 2019

Photographs from the first night of the 23rd version of the Jazz Festival of Punta del Este in Uruguay. Performances by Amigos de El Sosiego (The Music of Lee Morgan) with David Feldman: piano; Popo Romano: double bass; Pipi Piazzolla: drums; Nicolás Mora: guitar; Diego Urcola: trumpet with Alex Brown: violin; Jessé Sadoc: trumpet. The Al Foster Cuarteto with Adam Birnbaum: piano; Doug Weiss: double bass; Chris Potter: saxophone; Al Foster: drums. And the Johnny O'Neal Trío. Mark Lewandowski: double ...

New Morning Paris Concert

by Chris Kompanek
October 3, 2009

Al Foster New Morning Paris Concert Inakustik 2009

Al Foster played with Miles Davis for several years in the '70s, appearing on Get Up With It, On The Corner, Big Fun, Dark Magus, Agharta, and reuniting with him in the '80s for The Man With The Horn, We Want Miles, Star People, Decoy and You're Under Arrest. And the drummer was one of the few people to stay in contact with him ...

Al Foster: Love, Peace and Jazz!

by Terrell Kent Holmes
May 14, 2009

Drumming great Al Foster has spent nearly a half-century playing with some of the greatest musicians, and on some of the most memorable albums, in jazz history, from Miles Davis' On The Corner and Agharta to Joe Henderson's State of the Tenor and the collaborative group Scolohofo (with John Scofield, Joe Lovano and Dave Holland). Today Foster records and tours the world with his own quartet, last year releasing Love, Peace And Jazz!, recorded live at Village Vanguard. During a ...

World-Renowned Smoke Jazz Club Kickstarts The New Year Celebrating Two Jazz Giants’ Birthdays: Billy Harper And Al Foster

Source: AMT Public Relations
December 6, 2023

Rated the #1 jazz club in New York City (Secret NYC), SMOKE Jazz Club begins 2024 with an exciting line-up in January. The month begins with two piano greats: Bill Charlap leading his longtime Trio (Jan 3-7) followed by renowned pianist/composer Billy Childs and his Quartet (Jan 11-14). SMOKE is honored to host two octogenarians celebrating their 81st birthdays in back-to-back concert celebrations: tenor saxophone giant Billy Harper leads his Quintet (Jan 18-21) then drumming master Al Foster is at ...
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Steel Pan Jazz Virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas Releases Uplifting New Album 'Calasanitus'

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
March 18, 2023

March 2023 marks the release of Calasanitus, the new album by Leon Foster Thomas. As one of the leading steel pan jazz virtuosos in the world, Foster has gained global recognition via a plethora of accolades including winning both the solo and duet competitions at the World Steelband Music Festival, as well as releasing a series of critically acclaimed albums, most recently Metamorphosis on respected label Ropadope Records. Now he is set to showcase his inimitable talent once again, with ...
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World-Renowned SMOKE Jazz Club Begins The New Year With 80th Birthday Celebrations For Billy Harper And Al Foster, The 10th Annual Coltrane Festival, And More

Source: AMT Public Relations
December 10, 2022

January 2023 Schedule Sunday, January 1 Coltrane Festival featuring Jeremy Pelt with the Eric Reed / Vincent Herring Quintet Jeremy Pelt: trumpet Vincent Herring: alto & tenor saxophone Eric Reed: piano John Webber: bass Joe Farnsworth: drums SMOKE’s 10th annual Coltrane Festival continues with featured guest trumpeter Jeremy Pelt joining the Eric Reed/Vincent Herring Quintet. JazzTimes says, “Pelt is a technical marvel. He executes intricate solos with ease, plays gorgeous ballads in a tasteful manner, ...
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World-Renowned SMOKE Jazz Club Announces Fall Concert Schedule: September-November

Source: AMT Public Relations
August 15, 2022

One of New York City’s premier live music venues, Smoke Jazz Club, presents a stellar line-up of both legendary jazz performers and emerging voices for the fall season. Acclaimed for its essential music programming and inspired setting, Smoke Jazz Club recently reopened to much fanfare after being closed to indoor performances and dining for over two years. This revered institution has undertaken an impressive expansion and renovation that anchors its place as a world-renowned destination for the best in classic ...
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Frank Foster: The Basie Touch

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
March 22, 2022

Shortly after being discharged from military service in 1953, tenor saxophonist Frank Foster joined Count Basie's band. By then, Basie's so-called New Testament band was in place and had been recording for a year. The orchestra was known as the New Testament band to differentiate it from the swing-era band that started in 1935 and lasted until late 1949. Vocalist Billy Eckstine was the first to urge Basie to give up the small groups Basie led from 1950 to 1952, ...
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Mark Turner + Gary Foster

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
June 25, 2019

Seventy years ago, on March 4, 1949, cool jazz was recorded for the first time. Given a mandate to record whatever new jazz was important, Pete Rugolo, Capitol's head of A&R, brought the Lennie Tristano Sextet into the studio to tape two songs—Wow and Crosscurrent. The music by Lee Konitz (as), Warne Marsh (ts), Lennie Tristano (p), Billy Bauer (g), Arnold Fishkin (b) and Harold Granowsky (d) featured the reeds playing bone dry (with zero vibrato), high on the upper ...
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Foster Youth, Fashion-styled Performances, And Standing Ovations Is What Indie Hotspot Is All About

Source: Sean McKenzie
October 2, 2012

Doing her favorite 1960s jazz standards, Kaylene Peoples and her all-star “orchestra” proved to be a big hit at the benefit concert held at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip Friday September 28, 2012. The show opened with the band performing jazz instrumentals followed by Peoples’ arrival on stage, where Kaylene spoke briefly about the mission of Agenda Foundation. “Thank you all for coming out and supporting the cause of foster youth in filmmaking. These youth will be given ...
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Frank Foster: 'Basie is Our Boss'

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
September 26, 2012

In between recording sessions and on days off, Count Basie had no problem with his musicians recording on their own. Basie knew that if he wanted to hang onto the titanium talent he had on board, he'd be well served to give his men the economic and creative freedom they wanted. Jazz fans are certainly better off for Basie's policy. That's how all of those terrific Frank Wes recordings were possible in the '50s for Savoy and other labels. Wes' ...
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Ruthie Foster's CD 'Let It Burn' Shipping Tuesday, January 31; Takes to the Road

Source: conqueroo
January 26, 2012

2012 U.S. tour under way, with Grammy Museum webcast on street date and SXSW appearance. LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Ruthie Foster celebrates the release of her new album, Let It Burn, on Tuesday, January 31 with an appearance that night at Los Angeles' Grammy Museum. The performance and interview there will be available to fans throughout the world on a web simulcast . The event kicks off a tour that continues into late spring with stops in all major cities ...
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Ruthie Foster's New Album, "Let It Burn," Recorded in New Orleans with Special Guests, Expands Musical Boundaries

Source: conqueroo
November 2, 2011

January 31 release on Blue Corn Music features Blind Boys of Alabama, soul legend William Bell, and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more. AUSTIN, TX: Those who have followed Ruthie Foster's eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. And when Grammy Award-winning producer John Chelew suggested she record an album in New ...
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