joel ross

The Blue Note Quintet Make Musical Magic in Berkeley

The Blue Note Quintet Make Musical Magic in Berkeley

All-star modern jazz collective the Blue Note Quintet hit the road to honor the classic label’s 85th anniversary by carrying the creative vibes forward.

The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2022

The 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2022

Jazz, born of the creative brilliance of Black American culture and now wonderfully global, is passionately alive in 2022. These are the year’s best jazz albums.

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – March 2022

JazzMatters: Best New Jazz and Creative Music – March 2022

JazzMatters is a new monthly round-up of the best new jazz and creative music. March 2022 features Cécile McLorin Salvant, Melissa Aldana, and Ryan Keberle.

Drummer Johnathon Blake Is ‘Homeward Bound’

Drummer Johnathon Blake Is ‘Homeward Bound’

Johnathon Blake’s Blue Note debut, Homeward Bound, takes soulful jazz from the past, adds the complexity of the present with intelligence and adventure.

20 Jazz Albums You Might Have Missed in 2020

20 Jazz Albums You Might Have Missed in 2020

During the new-year season of best-of-the-year lists, I find myself looking backward—even at a year as difficult as 2020. Time was dilated—I thought I had too much of it but, as usual, there was too little for all the great music.

Joel Ross Is the New ‘Kingmaker’ on Vibes

Joel Ross Is the New ‘Kingmaker’ on Vibes

Joel Ross is a young jazz star on the vibes with a working band in his Blue Note debut—working a vein that is modern but tied certainly back to a tradition that includes his inspiration, Bobby Hutcherson. Cracking good.