Ralph Peterson - Raise up off Me (2021)

The album includes five of Peterson’s original tunes, along with compositions by Zaccai Curtis, Bud Powell, James Williams, Patrice Rushen and John Hicks. Jazzmeia Horn contributes a bonus track on the digital and vinyl versions.

Raise Up Off Me was recorded at Peterson’s own studio in North Dartmouth, Mass., with engineer Dean David Albak in early December of 2020. The project finds Peterson at home with the Curtis Brothers, to whom he was a mentor and musical father.

“It was always one of the greatest honours to play with Ralph,” says Zaccai Curtis. “We loved him dearly and he always took the time to show us how much he loved us. This music is the pinnacle of what we’ve been striving for as a group. We are extensions of Ralph and his musical visions.”

Luques Curtis adds: “Ralph put a tremendous amount of love and thought into this recording knowing very much that it could be his last. He put his heart into this recording. I remember clearly how much fun he had planning it and his excitement throughout the recording process. I will always be grateful for the time I spent talking and learning from him on how to be a true messenger of music.”