Russ Macklem - Introducing: The Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet (2025)

There’s something about Detroit jazz – its history, its grit, its fire – that feels unlike anywhere else. Windsor-born trumpeter Russ Macklem, now firmly embedded in the Detroit scene, taps directly into that lineage with “Introducing: The Russ Macklem Quintet”. It’s a follow-up to his JUNO-nominated debut “The South Detroit Connection”, and it doesn’t just build on that promise, it explodes with energy, passion and a remarkable sense of storytelling.

Recorded in a single day at Willis Sound, a converted church in Michigan, the album captures a “live-off-the-floor” immediacy that makes the listener feel like they’re in the room. The line-up is stellar: Kasan Belgrave (alto sax), Jordan Anderson (piano), Noah Jackson (bass) and Louis Jones III (drums), with Macklem himself leading from the front on trumpet. Together, they deliver a rollercoaster ride through original compositions that nod to tradition while sounding vital and contemporary.

Opener “The Coyote pt. 1” sets the mood with a dark, brooding ostinato inspired by one of Macklem’s most personal life experiences, a moment of heartbreak and revelation. It’s a haunting start, and the band responds with a blend of restraint and intensity. By contrast, “I Will Persevere” surges forward, a declaration of resilience, its three-part structure mirroring the struggle, journey and triumph that its title suggests.

“Nostalgia: For a Past Life” is a ballad of rare beauty, tender, wistful, and one of the highlights of the set. Macklem’s tone here is exquisite, while Belgrave’s saxophone adds warmth and yearning. “Theme for Detroit” pays homage to the city’s rich legacy, and the ensemble plays it with the kind of swing and fire that you feel only Detroit can inspire. Elsewhere, “Mr. Anderson” turns into a frantic workout, showcasing the pianist’s verve, while “O.K. Valley” offers reflective contrasts, drawing on Macklem’s Canadian roots. The closing “Coyote pt. 2” circles back to where things began, fading into an unresolved space, acting as a reminder that life’s wounds leave their mark, even as music offers healing.

Throughout this energised recording Macklem’s trumpet playing is at times off the scale – powerful, searching, emotional. But this is no one-man show. The chemistry within the quintet is palpable, every tune alive with collective spirit. “Introducing” is a thrilling second chapter from a player who is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling new voices in modern jazz.