Biography
Al Foster stands out as a master drummer celebrated for his powerful and driving rhythms, sustaining a prominent career spanning more than fifty years. After first gaining notice through his support of trumpeter Blue Mitchell during the 1960s, he earned significant recognition for his role in Miles Davis's fusion groups throughout the 1970s and 1980s, contributing to releases such as On the Corner, Agharta, and The Man with the Horn. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous distinguished musicians, among them Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, and Herbie Hancock. Although his output as a bandleader consists of only a few recordings—such as Mixed Roots from 1978 and Inspirations & Dedications from 2019—he maintains an active presence leading his ensembles and commands respect in that capacity.
Born Aloysius Tyrone Foster in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943, he spent his formative years in Harlem, New York, where his father, an amateur bassist, first exposed him to jazz. Presented with a drum kit early on, he dedicated himself to daily practice, influenced by the many celebrated artists he witnessed performing at the Apollo Theatre, such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Dave Brubeck, and John Coltrane. In 1964, he became part of trumpeter Blue Mitchell's ensemble, participating in notable Blue Note sessions including The Thing to Do, Down with It!, and Heads Up.
After time spent with the house band at New York's Playboy Club, Foster entered Miles Davis's group, making his initial appearance alongside drummers Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart on the landmark 1972 album On the Corner. Once DeJohnette departed, Foster assumed the primary drumming role for Davis, accompanying the trumpeter on tours over the subsequent years and featuring on innovative fusion recordings like Big Fun in 1974, Agharta in 1975, and Pangaea in 1976.
During the 1970s as well, Foster started writing material and directing his personal band, issuing his first leader date, Mixed Roots, in 1978, which included work from saxophonists Michael Brecker and Bob Mintzer, bassist Jeff Berlin, among additional contributors. While persisting with Davis, the drummer expanded his associations in the late 1970s and early 1980s, working alongside figures like Duke Jordan, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Freddie Hubbard. Upon Davis's emergence from a voluntary six-year hiatus, Foster participated in studio sessions yielding The Man with the Horn in 1981, Decoy in 1984, You're Under Arrest in 1985, and Amandla in 1989.
Through the 1980s, he sustained a mix of contemporary and fusion projects alongside acoustic post-bop engagements, performing with Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Carmen McRae, George Benson, and Donald Byrd. The 1990s saw him involved in noteworthy dates with Joe Henderson, Steve Kuhn, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Hargrove, and further artists, while increasing his leadership activities; this period included the 1997 release of his second album under his own name, Brandyn, which featured saxophonist Chris Potter, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Doug Weiss, in addition to his membership in saxophonist David Liebman's Quest alongside pianist Richie Beirach and bassist George Mraz.
His solo releases grew during the 2000s, beginning with his participation in the supergroup ScoLoHoFo alongside saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist John Scofield, and bassist Dave Holland on their 2003 album Oh!. He followed with the 2008 quartet recording Love, Peace, and Jazz! Live at the Village Vanguard, then the 2012 trio effort Three of a Mind with pianist David Birnbaum and bassist Weiss. Additional projects involved Eddie Henderson, Larry Willis, Kenny Barron, and others. Foster's Smoke Sessions debut arrived in 2019 with Inspirations & Dedications, showcasing his quartet that included trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, pianist Birnbaum, and bassist Weiss.
Born Aloysius Tyrone Foster in Richmond, Virginia, in 1943, he spent his formative years in Harlem, New York, where his father, an amateur bassist, first exposed him to jazz. Presented with a drum kit early on, he dedicated himself to daily practice, influenced by the many celebrated artists he witnessed performing at the Apollo Theatre, such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Dave Brubeck, and John Coltrane. In 1964, he became part of trumpeter Blue Mitchell's ensemble, participating in notable Blue Note sessions including The Thing to Do, Down with It!, and Heads Up.
After time spent with the house band at New York's Playboy Club, Foster entered Miles Davis's group, making his initial appearance alongside drummers Jack DeJohnette and Billy Hart on the landmark 1972 album On the Corner. Once DeJohnette departed, Foster assumed the primary drumming role for Davis, accompanying the trumpeter on tours over the subsequent years and featuring on innovative fusion recordings like Big Fun in 1974, Agharta in 1975, and Pangaea in 1976.
During the 1970s as well, Foster started writing material and directing his personal band, issuing his first leader date, Mixed Roots, in 1978, which included work from saxophonists Michael Brecker and Bob Mintzer, bassist Jeff Berlin, among additional contributors. While persisting with Davis, the drummer expanded his associations in the late 1970s and early 1980s, working alongside figures like Duke Jordan, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Freddie Hubbard. Upon Davis's emergence from a voluntary six-year hiatus, Foster participated in studio sessions yielding The Man with the Horn in 1981, Decoy in 1984, You're Under Arrest in 1985, and Amandla in 1989.
Through the 1980s, he sustained a mix of contemporary and fusion projects alongside acoustic post-bop engagements, performing with Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Carmen McRae, George Benson, and Donald Byrd. The 1990s saw him involved in noteworthy dates with Joe Henderson, Steve Kuhn, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Hargrove, and further artists, while increasing his leadership activities; this period included the 1997 release of his second album under his own name, Brandyn, which featured saxophonist Chris Potter, pianist Dave Kikoski, and bassist Doug Weiss, in addition to his membership in saxophonist David Liebman's Quest alongside pianist Richie Beirach and bassist George Mraz.
His solo releases grew during the 2000s, beginning with his participation in the supergroup ScoLoHoFo alongside saxophonist Joe Lovano, guitarist John Scofield, and bassist Dave Holland on their 2003 album Oh!. He followed with the 2008 quartet recording Love, Peace, and Jazz! Live at the Village Vanguard, then the 2012 trio effort Three of a Mind with pianist David Birnbaum and bassist Weiss. Additional projects involved Eddie Henderson, Larry Willis, Kenny Barron, and others. Foster's Smoke Sessions debut arrived in 2019 with Inspirations & Dedications, showcasing his quartet that included trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, pianist Birnbaum, and bassist Weiss.
Albums
Reflections
2022
Cerebral Caverns
2021
Inspirations & Dedications
2019
Chesky Records' Best of Ron Carter
2019
Come Shine
1998
The Jazz Woodwinds Collection
1995
Something More
1989
Singles
Live
