A Genre-Bending Album that Balances Virtuosity and Vulnerability
Joey Du Bois’ self-titled album, Joey Du Bois, is less a traditional jazz record and more an emotional and sonic journey—at once grounded in deep musical chops yet unafraid to color outside the lines. This is a bold, confident, and often surprising work from a unique artist who crafted it using his skills as a trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and producer.
Across nine tracks, the album unfolds as a dense yet accessible musical landscape—drawing from jazz, fusion, and experimental sounds while never losing its core sense of storytelling. Du Bois brought together an ensemble that includes Alon Schwartz (piano, keyboard, co-production), Willem Jochems (drums), Stefan Dresler (bass), and Jack Kuelling (guitar). Together, they bring his vision to life with a mix of precision and spontaneity. Guest appearances include Emma Gimeno on Track 1 and Blake Du Bois on Tracks 7 and 8.
Schwartz’s contributions are striking. His piano and keyboard work thread emotional depth throughout the album. His touch ranges from delicate, atmospheric passages to bold, dynamic flourishes that elevate the arrangements with both technical mastery and expressive nuance. Beyond his instrumental presence, his role as co-producer helped shape the record’s sonic cohesion, ensuring that each track retains its narrative flow.
As the lead drummer, Jochems resists the tendency to treat the kit as either mere timekeeper or a vehicle for excess. His playing is characterized by dynamic sensitivity, clear awareness of ensemble needs, and the ability to shift fluidly between supportive textures and assertive gestures. The balance he strikes—between restraint and assertion—suggests an artist deeply attuned to the narrative potential of rhythm. Taken as a whole, Joey Du Bois succeeds in presenting a unified ensemble vision, but Jochems’ presence leaves a particularly strong impression. His ability to frame rhythm as both structural anchor and expressive language positions him as a unique and impactful figure, making meaningful contributions to the evolving language of contemporary jazz.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
“Styll”
The album opens with a burst of color. “Styll” is bright, syncopated, and harmonically rich—setting the tone with Joey Du Bois’ lead vocals and backing support from Emma Gimeno. A synth solo by Alon Schwartz elevates the track into an atmospheric space, adding layers to its strong and direct feel. The drums (Willem Jochems) play a critical role, with a fast and precise opening fill as well as flowing, interactive grooves. It’s a welcoming opener that balances accessibility with sophistication.
“Roar”
If “Styll” is the sunrise, “Roar” is the storm cloud. The track takes a darker, more aggressive turn. The unison melody between trumpet and guitar is razor-sharp, giving the tune a biting edge. Du Bois and guitarist Jack Kuelling each take commanding solos, while Willem Jochems delivers a standout performance—particularly during a drum solo that bubbles with energy and creative tension.
“VAV (Intro)” → “VAV”
The pairing of “VAV (Intro)” and “VAV” serves as the album’s most cerebral and harmonically ambitious stretch. Schwartz’s piano intro is tender and expressive, setting a contemplative mood. When the full band enters on “VAV,” the tune unfolds like a complex maze—rhythmically disorienting at times, yet always purposeful. This is music that demands multiple listens—and rewards them.
“You Know Why”
Here we see Du Bois the vocalist at his most exposed. “You Know Why” leans melancholic without tipping into melodrama. The harmonic language is lush yet restrained. Jochems’ steady, understated drumming provides a heartbeat-like pulse, grounding the track while giving the vocals space to float with quiet urgency. The outro—a smoldering guitar solo by Jack Kuelling—builds in intensity, serving as a cathartic release. This is one of the album’s emotional peaks.
“Crunch”
A return to rhythmic vitality, “Crunch” is tightly constructed with an angular groove that drives it forward. Trumpet and guitar play the melody in unison, giving it a commanding delivery. Both Du Bois and Schwartz deliver standout solos, with Schwartz’s keyboard injecting just the right amount of electronic grit. The closing section is particularly memorable—catchy, infectious, and perfectly executed.
“Coffee Sweats (Intro)” → “Coffee Sweats 2.0”
This two-part suite is perhaps the album’s most experimental and boundary-pushing. The intro is manic, fast-paced, and rhythmically unhinged, led by Jochems on drums while Du Bois plays the melody simultaneously. Blake Du Bois delivers a frenetic spoken-word passage that adds urgency and even comedy. “2.0” builds on that chaos, allowing the band to unleash their improvisational prowess. Jack Kuelling plays some beautiful lines in his solo, followed by an especially explosive trumpet solo from Du Bois. The ending slows down dramatically, bringing the chaos into a strangely groovy close.
“You Know Why (Demo)”
Closing the album with a reimagined version of the earlier ballad, “You Know Why (Demo)” strips things down to a more ambient, lo-fi palette. Sparse programmed drums and floating synths give it a “space jazz” vibe, while Du Bois’ vocals are even more exposed, more delicate. It’s a quiet and introspective finale, letting the emotional residue of the album linger a little longer.
Final Thoughts
Joey Du Bois is not just a collection of tunes—it’s a statement. The artist seems less interested in fitting into jazz’s traditional molds and more focused on making something honest, textural, and personal. That doesn’t mean the jazz language is absent—it’s woven into the DNA of every track—but it’s used as a foundation rather than a limitation.
Production-wise, the album is impressively polished, thanks to the efforts of Alon Schwartz, Warren Pettey, and Willem Jochems. Each track is carefully sculpted, allowing room for the performers to breathe while retaining structural clarity.
At times, the album teeters on the edge of complexity for complexity’s sake, particularly in “VAV” and parts of “Coffee Sweats,” but those moments are offset by tracks like “You Know Why” and “Crunch,” which offer melodic and emotional accessibility. The balance of head and heart is one of Du Bois’ greatest strengths.
This record shows Joey Du Bois not just as a trumpet player or composer, but as a true musical auteur, someone with a distinct voice, a deep understanding of ensemble dynamics, and a desire to push genre boundaries. It’s an album that both challenges and invites, marking the presence of a major voice in contemporary music.
Rating: 8.7/10