Feb 3, 2025 10:49 PM
The Essence of Emily
In the April 1982 issue of People magazine, under the heading “Lookout: A Guide To The Up and Coming,” jazz…
The Blue Note Quintet includes Gerald Clayton, Immanuel Wilkins, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott and Matt Brewer. The all-star collective embarks on a North American tour this month.
(Photo: Courtesy Blue Note Records)The Blue Note Quintet, an all-star collective of Blue Note recording artists, will embark on an extensive North American tour this month in celebration of the iconic label’s 85th Anniversary. Starring pianist and musical director Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross and drummer Kendrick Scott, as well as bassist Matt Brewer, the collective kicks off its 35-date tour on Jan. 18 and brings the band across the entirety of the U.S. with shows in Detroit (Majestic Theater, Jan. 19), Los Angeles (Lodge Room, Feb. 4), Chicago (Symphony Center, Feb. 16), New York (Symphony Space, Feb. 23) and other major markets.
“Blue Note has been such a wonderful home for the community, for incredible musicians, for creativity, for all these years,” says Clayton. “You can’t help but think about all those masters, all those heroes that you’ve grown up listening to. To get a chance to pay tribute and try to carry some of that essence forward is truly just an honor.”
Visionary young voices in jazz have long been the lifeblood of Blue Note Records, and The Blue Note Quintet continues the tradition of rising stars from its roster joining forces to celebrate the label’s legacy including Out of the Blue, Superblue, New Directions, The Blue Note 7 and The Blue Note All-Stars.
Clayton joined Blue Note in 2020 and has released two albums — Happening: Live At The Village Vanguard and Bells On Sand — as well as performing on Blue Note albums by Charles Lloyd, Ambrose Akinmusire and Bill Frisell.
Scott signed with Blue Note in 2015 and has released three albums for the label: We Are The Drum, A Wall Becomes A Bridge and Corridors. He appeared on Blue Note albums by Terence Blanchard, Walter Smith III and the Blue Note All-Stars.
Ross came to Blue Note in 2019 with the release of KingMaker and has since released Who Am I? and The Parable Of The Poet, with his latest album, nublues, due out in February. He’s been featured on Blue Note albums by Makaya McCraven, Johnathan Blake, Joshua Redman and Meshell Ndegeocello.
Wilkins released his Blue Note debut Omega in 2020 followed by The 7th Hand in 2022. He is a member of Joel Ross Good Vibes and Johnathan Blake Pentad and was part of the Leonard Cohen tribute band Here It Is.
Click HERE for a complete list of show dates, locations and ticket info.
The Blue Note Quintet Tour Dates
Jan. 18: St. Cecilia Music Center (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Jan. 19: Majestic Theatre (Detroit)
Jan. 20: Fox Tucson Theatre (Tucson, Arizona)
Jan. 21: Mesa Arts Center (Mesa, Arizona)
Jan. 25: McCarter Theatre Center (Princeton, New Jersey)
Jan. 26: Wisconsin Union Theater (Madison, Wisconsin)
Jan. 27: Dakota (Minneapolis)
Jan. 28: Turner Hall Ballroom (Milwaukee)
Jan. 31: Vashon Center for the Arts (Vashon, Washington)
Feb. 1: Neptune Theatre (Seattle)
Feb. 2: Mississippi Studios (Portland, Oregon)
Feb. 3: Cornerstone Berkeley (Berkeley, California)
Feb. 4: Lodge Room (Los Angeles)
Feb. 7: Kuumbwa (Santa Cruz, California)
Feb. 8: Campbell Hall @ UC Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, California)
Feb. 9: Irvine Barclay Theatre (Irvine, California)
Feb. 10: The Baker-Baum Concert Hall (La Jolla, California)
Feb. 14: The Alluvion (Traverse City, Michigan)
Feb. 15: Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, Pennsylvania)
Feb. 16: Symphony Center (Chicago)
Feb. 17: Lawrence Memorial Chapel (Appleton, Wisconsin)
Feb. 18: Pablo Center (Eau Clare, Wisconsin)
Feb. 20: Portsmouth Music Hall (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
Feb. 21: Groton Hill Music (Groton, Massachusetts)
Feb. 22: UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall (Amherst, Massachusetts)
Feb. 23: Symphony Space (New York City)
Feb. 24: Manchester Craftmen’s Guild (Pittsburgh)
Feb. 25: FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (St. Catharines, Ontario)
March 1: Gallo Center for the Performing Arts (Modesto, California)
March 2: The Smith Center for the Performing Arts (Las Vegas)
March 3: The Smith Center for the Performing Arts (Las Vegas)
March 5: Empire Theatre (San Antonio, Texas)
March 6: Manship Theatre (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
March 7: Dazzle (Denver)
March 8: Vilar Performing Arts Center (Breckenridge, Colorado)
DB
“She said, ‘A lot of people are going to try and stop you,’” Sheryl Bailey recalls of the advice she received from jazz guitarist Emily Remler (1957–’90). “‘They’re going to say you slept with somebody, you’re a dyke, you’re this and that and the other. Don’t listen to them, and just keep playing.’”
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