I don’t believe in the urban legend that celebrity deaths come in groups of 3 but if one wants to believe it then there is no better evidence than the fact that 3 legendary musicians all died in the last few weeks, and all at the age of 82. Al Foster died on May 28, 2025. Foster was obviously not as famous as Sly Stone and Brian Wilson but in the jazz world he was beloved. Foster was never as famous as those with whom he performed but he drove the rhythm for many of the most important jazz artists of the last 60 years. On a personal note, he was one of the early mentors for a dear Faux family friend and Faux Jr. mentor. Faux Jr. and I were lucky enough to see Foster perform two years ago at the Village Vanguard. He was 80 at the time but still played with the same joy that defined his playing style and career.

Here are some tunes from throughout his many decades of jazz greatness.

• In Memoriam
• Intro to Jazz
• Song of the Day (2025)
• Sunday Jazz