On January 30, 2026 vibraphonist Joel Ross will release his 5th Blue Note album, Gospel Music, a “sonic interpretation of the biblical story” and an exploration of his faith. It focuses on a “message of hope and love.”

The album’s lead track, “Wisdom Is Eternal (For Barry Harris)”, is out now, and features an expanded sextet line-up of Ross’ band Good Vibes with Josh Johnson on alto saxophone, Maria Grand on tenor saxophone, Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass, and Jeremy Dutton on drums.

Gospel Music follows the arc of the Bible’s story. Each composition follows the story of creation, the fall, and salvation, corresponding to biblical texts that Ross includes in the liner notes.

The album is described thus:

At the center of it is the desire that we meditate on the meaning of the ultimate sacrifice that defines a faith in Christ that calls on its practitioners to love God and others. Playing in this band mirrors that very attitude.

Gospel Music is released at a time when where Joel Ross has been “deepening his study and exploration into the theological and historical depths of his faith over the last several years.” Returning to some of his older unreleased compositions and seeing them in light of new experiences, he has “created an album which reveals more of his person.”

He explains:

This is probably the boldest example of trying to share what I believe is the good news as well as in homage to where I’m coming from.