Sowing the Seeds of a New Jazz Supergroup: Out Of/Into - Motion I

Jazz has long been a musical format that welcomes prodigious newcomers into its well-known groups. From 20-year-old trumpeter Lee Morgan joining drummer Art Blakey’s all-star Messengers band in 1958 to 23-year-old pianist Herbie Hancock joining the Miles Davis Quintet in 1963, 20-year-old flautist Elena Pinderhughes playing with trumpeter Christian Scott on 2015’s ‘Stretch Music’ and 24-year-old drummer Roni Kaspi featuring with bassist Avishai Cohen on 2024’s ‘Brightlight’, the blending of fresh blood with seasoned talent seems to consistently make for improvisatory wonders. 

In 2024, Blue Note put together a new group exemplifying this energetic mix of young and not-so-young to celebrate its 85th anniversary. Named The Blue Note Quintet, the group features celebrated upstarts Joel Ross on vibraphone and saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins alongside seasoned bandleaders Kendrick Scott on drums, bassist Matt Brewer and pianist Gerald Clayton. The Quintet promptly embarked on a 35-date tour across the US and while on the road began working out a series of tunes that would go on to form their forthright and deeply expressive debut album, ‘Motion I’, released under the new moniker Out Of/Into.  

Read the feature in Everything Jazz.

[This piece was published on 28/11/24]