Description:

In 2019, vibraphonist & composer Joel Ross issued his Blue Note debut KingMaker to peer acknowledgment and wide critical acclaim. An introduction to his longstanding outfit Good Vibes, the album received nods from The New York Times Best Jazz of 2019, NPR Musics Jazz Critics Poll and Rolling Stones 2019 Jazz Listeners Guide. Now, expanding the breadth of his expression with his second release Who Are You?, the young artist has actualized his sound. This record is a culmination of our maturing as people, as a band, within the music its about figuring out who we are, says Ross. Who Are You? features familiar Good Vibes associates Jeremy Corren on piano, Immanuel Wilkins on alto saxophone and Jeremy Dutton on drums, and introduces their newest collaborator, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass. Harpist Brandee Younger is also featured on five of the albums tracks. Inspired by communication through storytelling a method he absorbed, in part, working with such creative forces as Ambrose Akinmusire, Marquis Hill and Makaya McCraven and with input from producer Walter Smith III, Ross assembled the albums narrative in halves. Tracks 1-7 provide setting, as well as character introductions; tracks 8-15, plot twists. Each artist advances the spirit of risk-taking, while maintaining Ross vision for story structure. Tracklisting: Dream Calling Home More? After The Rain Vartha Marsheland Waiting On A Solemn Reminiscence Kings Loop The Nurturer Gatos Gift When My Head is Cold Harmonee Such Is Life 3-1-2