Composer

In describing the Black music tradition, Pharoah Sanders once remarked to Bernice Johnson Reagon “to me, it’s all spiritual music.” The musical journey from blues to gospel and “jazz” and back is more natural than these categorical separations can ever be. Like the great practitioners of the blues and gospel, Joel Ross is interested in the story, in the way that it can reveal the divine promise that life need not forever be what it has been. His chosen medium is a sextet. His message is love others and sacrifice the self. Service to others is the best way to live love and to be Christlike. Gospel Music is service music. Service is what we call worship. “Playing an instrument is a form of worship, and I’ve been worshipping all my life,” said Dizzy Gillepsie. And like Diz, Ross is committed to worship, represented in and through his music.

Joel Ross

Dearborn Station

Joel Ross has amassed a dedicated following by creating music you have to lean into. That doesn’t make it any less palatable, but across the vibraphonist’s recorded output — 2019’s KingMaker, 2020’s Who Are You?, and 2022’s The Parable of the Poet — the compositions were somewhat complex, and ushered the virtuosity of his band’s live performance to a studio setting. For nublues, his remarkable fourth release as a leader for Blue Note, Ross challenged himself to create an album with a greater degree of accessibility — still intricate and adventurous, but with a strong emphasis on melody, ballads, and the blues. On purpose, nublues feels familiar, like you’ve already heard these songs in Greenwich Village somewhere. Though there are covers on this LP (John Coltrane’s “equinox” and “central park west”; Thelonious Monk’s “evidence”), this collection of newly written material exemplifies the bandleader’s evolution.

Joel Ross’ Good Vibes

Monterey County Fairgrounds

Winner of the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Trumpet Competition, Chicago-born trumpeter Marquis Hill has, in a comparatively short time, established his well-deserved reputation as a leading figure among today’s crop of most adventurous jazz musicians. He returns with compositions from his new album and band project, Composers Collective, featuring an all-star ensemble that includes keyboardist Mike King, bassist Junius Paul, vibraphonist Joel Ross, and drummer Makaya McCraven.

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Marquis Hill

SFJAZZ Center

Blue Note Records is an American jazz record label established in 1939.  The anniversary tour stars The Blue Note Quintet – a group brought together to honor the label’s rich history.  Featured artists include Gerald Clayton, Joel Ross, Immanuel Wilkins, Matt Brewer and drummer Kendrick Scott.

Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Tour

Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

The Blue Note Quintet, led by six-time Grammy-nominated pianist Gerald Clayton, honors Blue Note Records’ rich history and paves the way for the eclectic artists on the legendary label today. One of those legends, Ron Carter — the prolific, three-time Grammy Award winner and most recorded jazz bassist of all time — brings his Golden Striker Trio to Symphony Center for the first time.

The Blue Note Quintet / Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio

Symphony Center

Blue Note Records is celebrating their 85th Anniversary with a US Tour starring “The Blue Note Quintet” – A group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. The Alluvion is incredibly honored and excited to present this shooting star of a show in our intimate venue. This will absolutely be a one-of-a kind Valentines evening in Traverse City with an all star lineup of living legends on the stage.

Alluvion Jazz Series: Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Celebration Starring The Blue Note Quintet

Commongrounds

Blue Note Records is celebrating its 85th Anniversary with a US tour starring The Blue Note Quintet, a group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. Six-time GRAMMY Award nominee Gerald Clayton leads the band as musical director and pianist. “Gerald Clayton is one of the most accomplished, distinctive and innovative pianists performing today” says Don Was, the label’s President since 2012. Rounding out the group is vibraphonist Joel Ross, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer.

The Blue Note 85th Anniversary Celebration Tour

Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

BLUE NOTE RECORDS 85TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Blue Note Records is celebrating their 85th Anniversary with a US Tour starring “The Blue Note Quintet” – A group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. 6 Time Grammy Award nominee Gerald Clayton leads the band as Musical Director and Pianist; “Gerald Clayton is one of the most accomplished, distinctive and innovative pianists performing today” says Don Was, the label’s President since 2012. Rounding out the group are vibraphonist Joel Ross, Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, Drummer Kendrick Scott, and Bassist Matt Brewer.

Majestic Theatre

Blue Note Records is celebrating their 85th Anniversary with a US Tour starring “The Blue Note Quintet” – A group brought together to honor the label’s rich history and pave the way for the eclectic artists of today’s roster. 6 Time Grammy Award nominee Gerald Clayton leads the band as Musical Director and Pianist; “Gerald Clayton is one of the most accomplished, distinctive and innovative pianists performing today” says Don Was, the label’s President since 2012. Rounding out the group are vibraphonist Joel Ross, Saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, Drummer Kendrick Scott, and Bassist Matt Brewer.

Fisher Theatre

Tribute to Pharoah Sanders & Joey DeFrancesco, Honoring Healdsburg Jazz Founder Jessica Felix.

Tribute to Pharoah Sanders & Joey DeFrancesco

Bacchus Landing

Elephant in the Room

Possessing an exquisite touch, astonishing technique, and a sound that somehow combines the dynamic finesse of Ahmad Jamal with the hurtling swing of Oscar Peterson, six-time GRAMMY nominee Gerald Clayton ranks among the very best pianists of his generation. He returns for an evening of solo piano and collaboration with guests including trumpet star Ambrose Akinmusire and the masterful young vibraphonist Joel Ross.

Gerald Clayton

Acclaimed vibraphonist and composer Joel Ross’s playing erupts through lush arrangements like “consistent currents of electricity” (Downbeat) in our second Jazz Club performance. Join his octet onstage for an intimate experience through the seven movements of Ross’s album The Parable of The Poet—described by many as an “absolute triumph."

Joel Ross' Parables

Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

Joel Ross continues refining an expression that’s true to his sound and his generation. In 2019, the vibraphonist-composer issued his anticipated Blue Note debut, Edison Award-winning record KingMaker to eruptive critical acclaim, followed by his 2020 release Who Are You? which features his band Good Vibes at their most synchronous. New York Times critic Giovanni Russonello praised the album for the ways it “speaks to a new level of group cohesion…more tangle, more sharing, more possibility.” 

He returns to ArtPower as bandleader with The Parable of the Poet, his third release for Blue Note Records. The album explores feelings self-awareness— confidence, doubt, regret and forgiveness—through storytellings and retellings.

Joel Ross 'Parables'

Price Center

Praised as “one of the greatest musical visionaries of his generation” (Blue Note Records), vibraphone master and songwriter Joel Ross is joined onstage by members of Good Vibes and harpist Brandee Younger in this genre-expanding performance as part of the Jazz at the Logan series.

Composer

Joel Ross

Events

Past events

2 - 5 Apr, 2026

Joel Ross · Jazz Showcase

Sep 28, 2024

Joel Ross’ Good Vibes · Monterey Jazz Festival

About

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