Gospel Meets Post-Bop: Joel Ross is one of the most exciting vibraphonists of his generation. He will present his new album, *Gospel Music*, at the Philippuskirche.

Joel Ross once said that he learned to improvise in the church band. There, at the age of ten, the musician—who had initially trained on the drums—found his way, through a series of detours, to the vibraphone—a turn of events that would have a decisive influence on his future path. Within just a few years, he emerged as one of the most remarkable voices on the international jazz scene.

Now, at just 30 years old, he already has an extensive discography to his name: In recent years, he has collaborated with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, and Gerald Clayton, among others. And although he has already undergone some remarkable musical evolution during this time—from the virtuosity of his early years, through collective improvisation, to rhythmically more complex works—he has not forgotten his roots.

This became clear two years ago with his album *nublues*, on which Ross revealed an unexpectedly melodic and accessible side. He, who in previous years had drawn attention with his impressive technique and breakneck arrangements, suddenly shone with musical minimalism. In an interview, he described it as a personal challenge to “write music that is accessible, that people can follow.”

He is now consistently pursuing this path: With *Gospel Music*, released at the beginning of the year, he has created a spectacular, 80-minute epic that is already being hailed as a future classic of spiritual jazz. On this album, Ross miraculously combines the narrative power of gospel with the rhythmic energy of post-bop.

No wonder, then, that*DownBeat*enthusiastically declared that he was “rewriting the rules of gospel music.” With his concert at the Philippuskirche, this fusion of jazz and spirituality now finds a setting that is as symbolic as it is acoustically impressive.