Gregory Groover Jr.: Old Knew

With Old Knew, tenor saxophonist Gregory Groover Jr. offers a mature and deeply rooted statement that gracefully balances reverence for tradition with openness to spontaneous expression. Recorded without rehearsal and driven by a diverse group of top-tier collaborators, including Joel Ross on vibraphone, Paul Cornish on piano, Harish Raghavan on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums, this 11-track set reveals a leader eager to let the music flow, communicate, and develop in the moment. The result is a highly interactive session that builds on the thematic unity of Groover's earlier work while adopting a more dynamic, exploratory tone.

The opener "Spaces" quickly establishes the session's working language. The piece unfolds with Cornish's enigmatic chords and Scott's edgy beats, exploring the theme's contour and texture. There are several lively exchanges between Groove's centred tenor and Ross's luminescent lines that allow the conversational chemistry to develop naturally. The soulfully supportive "551" opens with Groover's solo, which balances discipline with invention. Ross responds with an improvisation as his mallets flash in quicksilver fashion over the bars. Cornish deepens the pulse with his characteristic steadiness and purpose.

Jason Moran's modern standard "Retrograde" is the album's only original piece not classified as a Groover. It is performed in a manner that is both respectful and boldly interactive. Led by Scott's turbo-charged drumming, Groover, Ross, and Cornish deliver solos filled with speed, power, and complexity, while also being bright, evocative, and harmonically layered. In doing so, they integrate Moran's composition into Groover's broader thematic landscape. "Summer" follows with an easy warmth, fitting its title. Raghavan's bass work is supple and unhurried, providing a foundation that allows Groover and Ross to intertwine gracefully, evoking the classic horn-vibes lineage while maintaining a thoroughly modern sensibility.

The two compositions, "Juanita and Betty" and "William and Vincent," are both rich with personal meaning as they explore paternal and maternal grandparents. While the two pieces feature different melodies, they are similar in their tenderness and memorability, with the band paying close attention to them. In the former, Ross performs a solo filled with patient exploration. In the latter, Groover's improvisation ranges from introspective statements to more declamatory lines. In both cases, the band responds, shaping a small unfolding story.

The title track, "Old Knew," captures the album's main theme, the dialogue between past and present. Groover's playing conveys both nostalgia and an optimistic outlook as Cornish, on the Fender Rhodes, makes harmonic choices that give the tune a warm, slightly sepia-tinted glow. Ross adds subtle fills to the progression, guiding the music toward new horizons. This album honours the past while embracing the present with clarity, grace, and genuine connection.

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