About

Motion I is the debut album from Out Of/Into, the collective formerly known as The Blue Note Quintet, featuring pianist Gerald Clayton, alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, drummer Kendrick Scott, and bassist Matt Brewer. The band was formed in celebration of Blue Note Records’ 85th Anniversary and embarked on an extensive U.S. tour earlier this year during which they honed a distinctive, progressive sound that is the perfect embodiment of the Blue Note ethos. “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.”

Even the group’s name speaks to this concept of moving ever forward while remaining reverent of the masters who’ve come before. “‘Out Of/Into’ reflects the evolution of the Blue Note story, and of our sound,” says drummer Kendrick Scott. Which brings us back to Out Of/Into and their remarkable debut album, Motion I, an inspired set presenting seven original works by the band members that was captured in the midst of the group’s marathon tour of 2024, a momentous celebration of Blue Note’s 85th anniversary. All of these compositions are brilliant vehicles for improvisation that were thoroughly explored and developed during nearly 40 live engagements at some of the nation’s finest concert halls. “With such a long time on the road, it was really nice to reach as far as possible,” says Wilkins.

Adds Clayton, “We pushed one another to reach further and dig deeper night after night. Over the course of two months, the music expanded in all directions. Things grew both tighter and looser. “So much talent and creativity was on that bandstand,” he continues, with both accuracy and tremendous modesty. Simply put, Out Of/Into comprises five of the most important voices of their generation in jazz — and some of the most integral and exciting figures in Blue Note’s recent memory. — via Label

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Label: Blue Note
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Released: 2024
Genre: Jazz

File under: Blue Note Records
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