June 2, 2025
Al Foster. What a sweet man, what a hell of a musician. He was one of those musicians who I couldn’t wait to play with after hearing him on so many records, and when I finally got to play with him, it was even more incredible than the records! He was the backbone of SO many bands – Blue Mitchell/Junior Cook Quintet, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock Trio, Joe Henderson’s many groups, Bobby Hutcherson – the list is endless.
The first time I finally got to play with him was in 1991 with McCoy Tyner and Bobby Hutcherson. We recorded together with Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson’s Big Band, a Verve Records all-star concert and it was always such a thrill to be around such a legendary musician. By Miles Davis’ own admission, Al was one of the people that kept him connected with the outside world in the late 70’s when he stopped playing and returned to Miles’s band when he made his return in 1981.
We will miss this amazing man so much. RIP Al Foster. Thank you for blessing us with your presence.
Christian McBride
National Jazz Museum in Harlem Artistic Director