March 25, 2022
Vibraphonist and composer Joel Ross has released “DOXOLOGY (Hope),” the second single to be revealed from The Parable of the Poet, an expansive album-length suite composed by Ross which will be released April 15 on vinyl, CD, and digital formats. Ross explores new territory with his 8-piece Parables band, bringing together young artists of sharply defined expression: Blue Note labelmate Immanuel Wilkins on alto saxophone, Maria Grand on tenor saxophone, Marquis Hill on trumpet, Kalia Vandever on trombone, Sean Mason on piano, Rick Rosato on bass, Craig Weinrib on drums, and special guest Gabrielle Garo on flute. The bright tempo and hard-charging swing of “DOXOLOGY (Hope)” contrasts with the graceful and tender opening movement “PRAYER.”
Ross’ vision for the music is at once explicit and mysterious. He seeks to express themes present in parable tellings and retellings, while leaving each story’s particulars open to interpretation. Each title of the 7-movement suite references an emotional decision or experience for Ross. But in the studio he focused on fresh interpretations, allowing his past experiences to exist without dictating the band’s present treatment of the music. “I told them, ‘This is what the music is and this is how I want you to approach it — let everything we play be inspired by the melody.’ Not much else was decided,” says Ross, who enjoys “blurring the lines between melody and improvisation,” in part, as a way to facilitate communication and meaningful musical discourse.
Obscuring divisions between scripted and spontaneous is more than a romantic notion. For Ross, it’s truthful and intrinsic. Each composition he explores on The Parable of the Poet represents a near intact improvisation, some dating back to 2017, all of which emerged during creative sessions with his friend and colleague, saxophonist Sergio Tabanico. “We would record it, then I would go back and flesh out the composition,” he says. “I tried my best not to change any harmonic information or add too much more than what was already there. I just tried to organize the information in a manner that would yield sensible improvised group interaction, while giving enough direction.”
The track listing for The Parable of the Poet is as follows:
- PRAYER
- GUILT
- CHOICES
- WAIL
- THE IMPETUS (To Be And Do Better)
- DOXOLOGY (Hope)
- BENEDICTION
JOEL ROSS – 2022 TOUR DATES:
April 8: Annenberg Center – Philadelphia, PA
April 9: Kupferberg Center for the Arts – Flushing, Queens
April 14: Jefferson Center – Roanoke, VA
April 15: Christina Cultural Arts Center – Wilmington, DE
April 23: Cullen Theater at Wortham Theater Center – Houston, TX
April 24: Duet – Tulsa, OK
May 7: Capitol Bop – Washington, DC
May 8: Creative Alliance – Baltimore, MD
May 10: Robin Hixon Theater – Norfolk, VA
May 13-14: The Jazz Gallery – New York, NY
June 25: The Cube – Detroit, MI
June 28: Victoria Jazz Festival – Victoria, BC
June 29: Vancouver Jazz Festival – Vancouver, BC
June 30: Earshot Jazz Festival – Seattle, WA
July 6-24: European Tour TBA
August 11: The Lodge Room – Los Angeles, CA
August 12: San Jose Jazz Festival – San Jose, CA
August 13-14: Telluride Jazz Festival – Telluride, CO
August 17: Myrna Loy Center – Helena, MT
September 20: Musical Instrument Museum – Phoenix, AZ
September 22: Outpost Performance Space – Albuquerque, NM
September 23: SFJAZZ – San Francisco, CA
September 24: Monterey Jazz Festival – Monterey, CA
September 26: For the Love of Jazz – Reno, NV
October 14: University of Chicago – Chicago, IL
October 16: Wisconsin Union Theater – Madison, WI
