Latest news with #MilesDavis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Al Foster, Virtuoso Jazz Drummer to Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, Dies at 82
Al Foster, 1988 () Al Foster, the jazz drummer who played in bands led by Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, among others, has died. Foster's daughter Kierra Foster-Ba shared the news on Instagram and his longtime partner, Bonnie Rose Steinberg, told NPR that he died 'from a serious illness.' He was 82. Born in 1943 in Richmond, Virginia, Aloysius Tyrone Foster grew up in Harlem, the second oldest of five siblings. His first musical idol was bebop drummer Max Roach, whose 1955 recording of 'Cherokee' inspired a 12-year-old Foster to begin practicing every day on the drum kit his father had previously gifted him. The budding musician got his first experience working as a studio musician on Blue Mitchell's 1964 album The Thing to Do, which also featured a young Chick Corea. Foster's big break, however, arrived a few years later, when Miles Davis saw him perform at a jazz club on New York's Upper West Side and recruited the drummer to join his band. Foster toured with Davis until the latter's temporary retirement in 1975, and his work can be heard on live albums such as In Concert, Agharta, and Dark Magus. He also played on the Davis several studio LPs On the Corner and Big Fun (1974). The extended jazz-funk jam 'Mr. Foster,' recorded during the On the Corner sessions, was named in his honor. Saxophonist Sonny Rollins had previously fired Foster from his band after their first gig together in 1968, but would bring him on tour in Europe a decade later, and even claimed that 'Harlem Boys,' from his 1979 album Don't Ask, was inspired by the two musicians' similar upbringings. Throughout the late '70s and '80s, Foster also backed up pianists Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Horace Silver. In 1978, he became one of four members in the Milestones Jazzstars—a label-made supergroup that also featured Rollins, Tyner, and bassist Ron Carter—and in 1985, both he and Carter lent their talents to saxophone virtuoso Joe Henderson's The State of the Tenor, Vols. 1 & 2. Foster continued composing and performing until just months before his death, holding a longstanding residency at the Upper West Side club Smoke and sharing his last album, Reflections, in 2022. In 1989's Miles: The Autobiography, co-written with Quincy Troupe, Davis wrote that 'Al could set shit up for everybody else to play off and then he could keep the groove going forever…for what I wanted in a drummer, Al Foster had it all.' Originally Appeared on Pitchfork


New York Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Al Foster, Master of the Jazz Drums, Is Dead at 82
Al Foster, a drummer who worked with some of the most illustrious names in jazz across a career spanning more than six decades, leaving his distinctive stamp on important recordings by Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and many others, died on Wednesday at his apartment in Manhattan. He was 82. His daughter Kierra Foster-Ba announced the death on social media but did not specify a cause. Mr. Foster came up emulating great bebop percussionists like Max Roach, but his most high-profile early gig came with Mr. Davis, who hired him in 1972, when he was refining an aggressive, funk-informed sound. Mr. Foster's springy backbeats firmly anchored the band's sprawling psychedelic jams. In 'Miles: The Autobiography,' written with Quincy Troupe and published in 1989, Mr. Davis praised Mr. Foster's ability to 'keep the groove going forever.' Mr. Foster also excelled in a more conventional jazz mode, lending an alert, conversational swing to bands led by the saxophonists Mr. Henderson and Mr. Rollins and the pianists Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and Tommy Flanagan. 'What he was doing was reminiscent of some of the great drummers of our period,' Mr. Rollins said of Mr. Foster in a phone interview, citing foundational figures like Art Blakey and Max Roach. 'He always had that feeling about him, those great feelings of those people. And that's why I could never be disappointed playing with Al Foster. He was always playing something which I related to.' Mr. Foster often framed his long career as a fulfillment of his early ambitions. 'I've been so blessed because I've played with everybody I fell in love with when I was a young teenager,' he told the website of Jazz Forum, a club in Tarrytown, N.Y. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


Economist
26-05-2025
- Business
- Economist
Handling a crisis: Keep calm and clarion
For nearly two decades, a pair of business professors at Columbia have looked to Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie for management tips. We compare their advice with real-world case studies at Uber, the Lime bike-rental company and a firm caught up in Russia's war on Ukraine. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.


Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mick Jagger embarks on huge film project to produce new movie about Jazz icon Miles Davis
Mick Jagger is set to add another string to his bow as he's working on a new movie about iconic jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. The Rolling Stones legend's production company, Jagged Films, will produce the upcoming film which explores Miles' life and first trip to Paris in 1949, which eventually led to a romance with French actress and singer Juliette Greco. Miles & Juliette will be directed by Brian Pohlad - who is the man behind the Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy, with Brian's own River Road Entertainment company co-producing alongside Mick's. And Mick, 81, has already lined up a stellar cast for the film, with Damson Idris taking on the role of the jazz artist while rising star Anamaria Vartolome of Mickey 17 fame will portray Juliette. The entertainer confirmed the new project and told of his excitement at telling Miles' story. He shared: 'I'm so thrilled to be a part of a film that celebrates the early days of Miles Davis and his great love, Juliette Greco. 'Miles is inarguably one of the most influential and important musicians of the 20th century.' Meanwhile, a source told The Sun: 'Mick's Jagged Films business has been involved in some really cool music documentaries and films, and now he's taking on Miles' story. 'He is really excited to be on board the project, which is a collaboration between Jagged Films and Bill Pohlad's River Road Entertainment. Bill is directing the film, with Mick serving as a producer.' Mick's company is known for producing other films about music legends, including James Brown: Say it Loud and Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind. Miles & Juliette, set within the post-war Parisian arts scene, will not only explore Miles' as a musical genius, but will take an in depth look at a man who was transformed by love and heartbreak. The film's director Bill said of the new project: 'Though much of my work has centred on music, I've always been drawn to the intimacy and complexity of a great love story. 'With Miles & Juliette, I feel incredibly fortunate to explore both – through the lens of two artists whose connection was as fleeting as it was life-changing. 'This story isn't just about Miles Davis and Juliette Gréco – it's about the universal rhythm of falling in love, of being transformed by it, and of carrying its echo with you long after the moment has passed.' Miles, who passed away in 1991, was one of the most influential figures in jazz in the 20th century and produced over 60 studio albums. Meanwhile, Juliette, who died in 2020, was known for her songs Paris Canaille and La Javanaise, as well as films including The Sun Also Rises (1957) and Crack In The Mirror (1960) [pictured in 1989] He's well known for tracks including So What, In a Silent Way and Right Off. Meanwhile, Juliette, who died in 2020, was known for her songs Paris Canaille and La Javanaise, as well as films including The Sun Also Rises (1957), Crack In The Mirror (1960) and The Night of the Generals (1967). It comes after Mick's fiancée Melanie Hamrick has revealed she's not marrying the Rolling Stones rocker anytime soon because she's afraid to tie the knot to the former lothario. Giving an unprecedented look into her relationship with the rock star, 81, the former ballerina, 37, also says they will move to London permanently next year so they can enrol their eight-year-old son, Deveraux, in school. Melanie confirmed she has been engaged to Jagger for two-three years in a new interview with Paris Match when asked how long she has been wearing her engagement ring. And talking of marriage, she said: 'Maybe one day, maybe not. We are so happy in our current life that I would be too afraid to change anything. I don't know what to call it, maybe simply happiness.' The secret to their happiness, she claims is supporting each other and being there for each other. Melanie and Mick, 81, met in Tokyo in February 2014 when the Stones were on tour.


The Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Mick Jagger reveals huge new film project about legendary musician featuring cool cast
Ellie Henman, Bizarre Editor Published: Invalid Date, AFTER their summer tour hit the skids, you might have thought the Rolling Stones would be putting their feet up. But Sir Mick Jagger is making good use of his downtime by concentrating on his film -producing talents. 12 The singer has confirmed he is working on a new film about legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who died in 1991. It will tell the story of his romance with French actress Juliette Greco which began in 1949. Mick, who sang the Stones track Moonlight Mile, has lined up a cool cast for the movie called Miles & Juliette, with Damson Idris and Anamaria Vartolomei signed on for the lead roles. A source said: 'Mick's Jagged Films business has been involved in some really cool music documentaries and films, and now he's taking on Miles' story. 'He is really excited to be on board the project, which is a collaboration between Jagged Films and Bill Pohlad's River Road Entertainment. 'Bill is directing the film, with Mick serving as a producer.' Confirming his latest project, Mick said: 'I'm so thrilled to be a part of a film that celebrates the early days of Miles Davis and his great love, Juliette Greco. 'Miles is inarguably one of the most influential and important musicians of the 20th century.' Jagged Films has previously told the stories of music superstars James Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis, as well as making a string of films and TV shows, including Vinyl with Martin Scorsese. Mick's bandmates Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood are flying more under the radar now their touring schedule has been put on ice. King Charles and Queen Camilla joined by Mick Jagger at star-studded Versailles banquet I told in January that the Stones' plans for a summer tour in Europe had been put on ice. Music Insiders said promoters working with the rockers had not been able to make the dates work for gigs across the UK and Europe. They told me at the time: 'There had been hope the gigs would take place this summer but it's not worked out and now it's been shelved. 'Mick, Keith and Ronnie love to perform live shows so there is a hope that the promoters can lock in dates for next year.' I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. After the epic run of live shows taking place this year, we need something to look forward to in 2026. 12 Benson at Fever pitch BENSON BOONE is giving John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever suit a run for its money. He wore a white two-piece with a black shirt, just like John did in the 1977 film. Benson showed off his retro look at the BMI Pop Awards held at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, where he picked up the Champion Award. The honour was given in celebration of his incredible achievements over the past year, thanks to the runaway success of his song Beautiful Things. Organisers said: 'As one of today's most exciting hitmakers, Benson inspires through his honest storytelling, which is ignited by his passion and authenticity.' I hope he hit the town afterwards in this suit. Everyone loves the Brooklyn Shuffle. Rylan's £10k on jet dash for Bafta win RYLAN CLARK is living the dream right now – but it must be costing him an arm and a leg. While our Howell is flying to Basel today on a budget flight for Eurovision, I'm told Rylan splashed out around £10,000 travelling to and from the Swiss city in a private jet. He had been in Basel preparing for Eurovision last week, before flying back to the UK to get his first TV Bafta for his Grand Tour show with Rob Rinder. Despite commercial flights being available, Rylan and his team jumped on the jet to the bash in London and back to Switzerland. A friend said: 'He is on fire at the moment and loving every second of it. He had a private jet bring him to the UK from Basel, and then flew back out there on it after the Baftas. 'Rylan footed the bill. He loves to share his wins with his team and they all absolutely loved it.' If you've got room for one more, Rylan, Howell would much rather jump on board your plane on the way home. It sounds a lot more fun than easyJet. Radio win AMANDA HOLDEN and Jamie Theakston are celebrating today after Heart boasted it has beaten Radio 2 for the first time to become the UK's biggest radio brand. In the latest round of RAJAR audience research figures, Heart said it had 13.4million weekly listeners, with Amanda and Jamie's breakfast show at 4.3million. Greg James is also in the mood for celebrating over at Radio 1. He now has 4.4million listeners for his breakfast slot, which is up 80,000 from the last quarter. Just under 8million people now tune in to the station weekly. Jade solo album out in September JADE has announced her debut album, That's Showbiz Baby! It will be released on September 12, and will mark a change of direction from her Little Mix days. She is the first member of the girl group to release a solo album. Jade is working with a string of top producers including LostBoy, who masterminded Kylie Minogue's Padam Padam, and British powerhouse Raye. Jade made the announcement yesterday on the three-year anniversary of Little Mix's final show. She has also confirmed what Bizarre told you earlier this year – she's going on tour this autumn. Shakira's pink ladies I FEEL like I've had five too many glasses of wine after looking at these snaps of Shakira on stage. The Hips Don't Lie singer was perfectly in sync with her two dancers, who wore matching pink dresses. 12 12 Fresh from shows in South America, Shakira is now on the North American leg of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. She put on an incredible show at the Bank of America stadium in North Carolina before heading to New Jersey tonight for two massive concerts. We're still waiting for word of Shak bringing the shows over here, but I think next year could be promising for British fans. Liz: My lovely Billy LIZ HURLEY is smitten . . . and she wants us all to know it. Fresh from posting snaps of her new romance with Billy Rae Cyrus, the actress has now broken her silence about the US country singer. Asked about their relationship at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 2025 Hot Pink Party, Liz said: 'Billy's a lovely man. We make each other very happy.' Liz, who co-ordinated her dress to match the pink carpet, was joined by her son Damian at the bash. I think we'll be seeing a lot more gushing posts from the loved-up couple, left, over the coming weeks. Jenny's taken a tumble 12 12 FORGET Jenny From The Block, it looks like Jennifer Lopez walked into one after suffering a nasty cut on her nose. She fell during rehearsals for the American Music Awards and showed fans her bruised face online. In classic J-Lo style, she headed to a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon to make sure she hadn't badly damaged her beautiful mug. Luckily for her, it seems like she's going to make a quick recovery. She said on Instagram: 'Thank you for stitching me up, Dr Diamond. 'A week later and a whole lotta ice, I'm good as new.' Pop one of the cubes in a margarita and put your feet up, Jen.