Biography
Al Foster, born Aloysius Tyrone Foster on January 18, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia, grew up in Harlem, New York, where he was immersed in jazz from a young age. Inspired by performances at the Apollo Theatre, including Miles Davis' 1958 sextet with John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley, and drummers like Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones, he began playing drums at age 13 after his amateur bassist father bought him a set. Foster's professional debut came in 1964 with Blue Mitchell's Quintet at Minton’s Playhouse, recording the Blue Note classic The Thing To Do at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio alongside Junior Cook, Chick Corea, and Gene Taylor[1][2][3][5][6].
Foster quickly established himself in New York's jazz scene, working with artists like Larry Willis, Hugh Masekela, McCoy Tyner, and Joe Henderson while supporting his four daughters as a single parent. His breakthrough arrived in 1972 when Miles Davis, impressed by Foster's groove at the Cellar Club, recruited him after Jack DeJohnette's departure, launching a 13-year tenure that defined Davis' electric fusion era on albums like Get Up With It (1974), Agharta (1975), Dark Magus (1977), and We Want Miles (1981)[1][2][4]. Known for his precise, intuitive style—blending bebop swing, hard bop, funk, and fusion—Foster excelled in telepathic interplay, providing rhythmic foundations that allowed soloists to shine[1][2][4][5][6]. He also led sessions like Mixed Roots (1978) and Love, Peace and Jazz (2005, live at Village Vanguard)[2].
Foster's legacy as a versatile master drummer spanned over five decades, earning him the 1973 DownBeat Critics Poll Drummer of the Year and a 1986 Grammy for *We Want Miles!. He toured with Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, and others, composing piano pieces recorded by Hank Jones and maintaining a presence at clubs like Smoke until his death on May 28, 2025, at age 82 in New York City[2][5][6][7].
Fun Facts
- Miles Davis first spotted Foster at the Cellar Club in 1972 and immediately recruited him, praising his endless groove in his autobiography[1][2][4].
- Foster was a single parent to four daughters, playing steady gigs like at the Playboy Club to support them[2].
- Unique among drummers, Foster composes on piano; Hank Jones recorded three of his pieces[2].
- Sonny Rollins called him 'the last of the great drummers'[8].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Max Roach - early rhythmic inspiration as a bebop architect (general influence from age 12) [1950s]
- Philly Joe Jones - inspiration from drum battles heard at Apollo (live performances) [1950s]
- Miles Davis - pivotal recruiter and stylistic shaper in fusion era (electric band albums) [1972-1985]
Key Collaborators
- Miles Davis - core band member for electric fusion period (Get Up With It (1974), Agharta (1975), Dark Magus (1977), We Want Miles (1981)) [1972-1985]
- Blue Mitchell - first major band, recording debut (The Thing To Do (1964)) [1964-1967]
- McCoy Tyner - frequent touring and recording partner (various albums) [1970s]
- Sonny Rollins - touring collaborator (live performances) [various]
- John Scofield - ScoLoHoFo supergroup and tours (Oh! (2003)) [1999-2000s]
- Joe Lovano - ScoLoHoFo and other projects (Oh! (2003)) [1999-2000s]
- Dave Holland - ScoLoHoFo supergroup (Oh! (2003)) [1999-2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Eli Degibri - saxophonist in Foster's later band (Love, Peace and Jazz (2005)) [2000s]
- Jeff Williams - drummer who remembered Foster's impact (tributes post-2025) [recent]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Standard Joe | 1991 | Album |
| Inspirations & Dedications | 2019-06-28 | Album |
| The Standard Joe (Remastered 2024) | 2024-01-19 | Album |
| Trio Live in Gdynia | 2021-07-16 | Album |
| Brandyn | 1997 | Album |
| An Evening With Joe Henderson, Al Foster, Charlie Haden | 1992-01-01 | Album |
| Reflections | 2022-08-26 | Album |
| Hank Jones Trio With Mads Vinding & Al Foster | 2010-10-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Round Midnight (The Standard Joe)
- When I'm Here with You (The Time is Now)
- The Odd Couple (The Time is Now)
- Our Son (Inspirations & Dedications)
- Cabin in the Sky (The Time is Now)
- I Want To Tell You 'Bout That (McCoy Tyner With Stanley Clarke And Al Foster)
- The Winding Way
- The Time is Now (The Time is Now)
- Never Let Me Go (McCoy Tyner With Stanley Clarke And Al Foster)
- Will You Still Be Mine (McCoy Tyner With Stanley Clarke And Al Foster)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Al Foster has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | 07:04 | E.S.P.from Live At Smoke | The Morning Setw/ Dave Dauterive | |
| Dec 19, 2025 | 08:10 | Amsterdam Bluesfrom Live At Smoke | The Morning Setw/ Dave Dauterive |