Foster was born inwards Richmond, Virginia, together with grew upward inwards New York. He began playing drums at the historic menses of xiii together with made his recording debut on Blue Mitchell's The Thing to Do at historic menses 20.
He joined Miles Davis's grouping when Jack DeJohnette left inwards 1972, together with played amongst Davis until 1985. In his 1989 autobiography, Davis described the kickoff fourth dimension he heard Foster play alive inwards 1972 at the Cellar Club inwards Manhattan: "He [Foster] knocked me out because he had such a groove together with he would simply lay it correct inwards there. That was the form of affair I was looking for. Al could fix it upward for everybody else to play-off together with simply proceed the groove going forever."
Foster began composing inwards the 1970s, together with has toured amongst his ain band, including musicians such every bit bassist Doug Weiss, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, together with pianist Adam Birnbaum.
Drummer Al Foster is widely recognized every bit a kickoff telephone band jazz drummer who has worked amongst many greats, including an extended tour of duty amongst Miles Davis, every bit good every bit stints amongst Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, together with Joe Henderson. This 1996 studio session made for the German linguistic communication Laika label is champaign Foster's kickoff chance to tape every bit a leader. Putting together an splendid band, amongst saxophonist Chris Potter (who doubles on soprano together with tenor), pianist Dave Kikoski, together with bassist Doug Weiss, Foster writes challenging post-bop compositions that inspire his bandmates, piece he is perfectly happy to order them the spotlight.
His bittersweet, bluesy "Monk Up together with Down," is harmonically rich, amongst a superb tenor solo yesteryear Potter. The saxophonist contributed the percolating "Amsterdam Blues," suggesting the lively nighttime scene of Harlem inwards its heyday. Kikoski composed the driving "Hope." The 1 familiar slice is Wayne Shorter's "Black Nile," played amongst gusto yesteryear the quartet. This may non hold out an slow CD to find, but it is obvious to anyone hearing it that Al Foster merits to a greater extent than opportunities to Pb his ain tape dates.
Master drummer Al Foster puts together his dream band for this supremely listenable collection of modern jazz originals. Chris Potter starts the kickoff ii on soprano sax, chop-chop shifting to tenor together with mixing it up. To these ears, Dave Kikoski never sounded to a greater extent than lyrical or intense than amongst comping together with soloing on this set. Doug Weiss together with Foster anchor amongst supreme confidence. That this loose is together with thus piddling known is criminal.
Track listing:
1.The Chief 07:36
2.Brandyn 05:22
3.Monk Up And Down 09:12
4.Barney Rose 07:31
5.Amsterdam Blues 06:32
6.Hope 07:26
7.No Title 05:55
8.Black Nile 05:53
Personnel:
Al Foster - drums
Chris Potter - soprano sax
Dave Kikoski - piano
Doug Weiss - bass
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