By Frank Alkyer | Published September 2026
The vibes are a magical instrument, creating otherworldly sounds with all that shimmer, echo and glow that just floats in the air. Jalen Baker, at 31, is a young master practitioner on the vibes. He feels the draw of this instrument and knows just how to compose and arrange to bring out the full, lush tonality of the instrument. In the case of RePaved, Baker’s fourth album, he also demonstrates how to form a less-than-conventional group around his music. He joins a jazz quintet featuring flutist Alexandria DeWalt, pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Gabriel Godoy and drummer Gavin Moolchan with a string quartet consisting of Yoojin Park, Ciara Jamila, Tia Allen and Reenat Pinchas. The combination is fantastic. Baker creates gorgeous washes and complex interplay that simply sound beautiful in his music. But beyond that, he proves to be a true storyteller, in this case detailing through instrumental music the trials, travails and power of his home: the 3rd Ward in Houston Texas. Along with most of the musicians on the recording, Baker grew up in the gritty neighborhood, which boasts a proud history of being one of Houston’s historic Black neighborhoods. RePaved serves as warning shot to those who attempt to gentrify the neighborhood and pave over its storied streets without paying homage to its cultural roots. And Baker sets forth to play some beautiful music while teaching some of that history. The set opens with “Antioch,” a tribute to the first Black baptist church created by slaves emancipated in Texas on Juneteenth, 1865. The tune slides into “John Henry,” a lovely ballad dedicated to the church’s founder, John Henry “Jack” Yates. “Dowling:Emancipation” drives an upbeat tempo and melody to celebrate the day in 2017 when Dowling Street — originally named after Dick Dowling, a Confederate commander — was renamed Emancipation Avenue. “Freedman” continues the proud theme of the community rising above pain. As does “City On The Water,” a tune that pulls at the heartstrings and reminds us that one act of nature can wash it all away. Baker changes the mood quickly with the buoyant “Kashmere,” a smile-inducing tribute to the Kashmere Stage Band, one of the swingingest high school bands in history under the direction of Conrad O. Johnson in the 1960s and 1970s. He also does a terrific take on the Thelonious Monk/Dezil Best tune “Bemsha Swing,” and the proceedings conclude with a wistful dose of memoriam via Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” Throughout the set, Baker conjures thoughtful, deep imagery and demonstrates his expansive artistry as a composer, musician and all-around artist. He’s got the goods!
