Drummer/bandleader/composer Rivkah Ross is poised to carve her own trail with the release of her debut album, Dare to Hope. This bold offering gives a glimpse into a world that’s both deeply personal and informed by the language of giants like John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Steve Swallow.
Ross isn’t merely channeling her heroes; she’s using their vocabulary to craft a singular artistic statement that shows a path to new territory. Her compositions demonstrate technical prowess, and harmonic acuity. But they are also sonic narratives that grapple with themes of acceptance, resilience, and the unwavering human spirit. This isn’t background music; it’s a conversation waiting to be had, one that promises to resonate with anyone who’s ever stared down life’s inevitable hurdles.
The band that accompanies Ross on this foray into bandleading are all like-minded, nimble improvisers that have put time in the trenches with her. The tunes have been battle-tested by saxophonist, Brian Myers, pianist, Patrick Carr, and bassist, Matthew Holmes. They have rehearsed these tunes and performed them at countless gigs, and the energy and connection is apparent.
With PJCE Records providing a platform and Ross’s potent originality leading the way, the Montavilla Jazz Festival stage is set to become a launchpad for a remarkable new voice in contemporary music. Be there to witness it firsthand for the album release event at the 2024 Montavilla Jazz Festival on Sunday, September 1st @ noon.
In Ross’s words:
This album captures my metamorphosis from sidewoman to bandleader. Though I have been playing drums for 20 years, I spent the majority of it helping others bring their hopes and dreams for their music come to life. During COVID-19, when all the clubs were closed and there was nowhere to play, I turned inward and began to listen intently to the melodic ideas that were coming to me. I dusted off my theory knowledge and started writing my ideas down. This album captures my journey from my initial ideas as a composer to who I am as a composer today.
As a composer, I am heavily influenced by the artists who I studied in music school and then continued to listen to for the rest of my life. Wayne Shorter’s works in the 1960s, and John Coltrane’s works from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, left a huge impression on me. Shorter’s Night Dreamer, JuJu, and Speak No Evil albums changed my life. Both Shorter and Coltrane wrote memorable, haunting melodies, which I feel is key to enticing the listener and opening the door for incredible solos. I am forever grateful to them for sparking my internal fire to write. Other influences for this album include Steve Swallow and Kenny Barron. The playing of McCoy Tyner and Roy Haynes also informed my approach. Roy Haynes’ performance on “Three Flights Up” (Question and Answer album, released 1989) is what made me fall in love with jazz in the first place.
This album is a personal statement and a message to others. As a Jewish female jazz drummer and first-generation American, I stand for underrepresented individuals in jazz, including women jazz instrumentalists, who are traditionally marginalized in the jazz world. I have had to persevere through great adversity in my life, both personally and professionally, in order to keep playing drums and improving my skills. Through it all I have continued to fight for my dreams and dared to hope that they would come true because of my efforts. I dare others to keep fighting, keep putting in the effort, and working toward their dreams no matter what!
Album Details
Artist: Rivkah Rossr
Title: Dare to Hope
Personnel: Rivkah Ross – drums; Brian Myers – saxophone; Patrick Carr – piano; Matthew Holmes – bass
Track listing: Run time:
My Favorite Thing to Do (is Exist with You) 06:58
Orange Cat Behavior 07:32
Song for Sara 07:53
Winter Blues 06:02
Dare to Hope 10:14
Mountains 04:27
Total Run Time 43:10
All compositions by Rivkah Ross
Recorded by Paris Butler
Mixed by Aaron Tomasko
Recorded at Blue Butler Studios
Recording date(s): March 25-27, 2024
Mastered by Dana White at Specialized Mastering
Executive Producer: Ryan Meagher
Photos by Priya Dhanapal
Art by Tiny Little Hammers
PJCER 060
BIO
Rivkah Ross is a professional jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer currently living and performing in Portland, Oregon. Her highly anticipated debut recording is being released on 9/1/24 through PJCE Records as part of the 2024 Montavilla Jazz Festival.
Rivkah’s original jazz is inspired by the compositions of Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Kenny Barron, Steve Swallow, and other giants of the genre. Her performances feature original instrumental jazz compositions, which encompass themes of acceptance, hope, determination, overcoming challenges, and connections with loved ones.
In April of 2023, Rivkah had her first show as the bandleader of the Rivkah Ross Quartet with PDX Jazz. Rivkah performs her original jazz with her Quartet at Portland venues such as The Hoxton, The Fixin’ To, Kelly’s Olympian, The 1905, Alberta Street Pub, The Underground, No Fun Bar, Al’s Den, Corkscrew Wine Bar, the Burlingame Space, and others.
Rivkah has been playing drums on the East and West Coasts for the past two decades and got her Bachelor of Music at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. Highlights of her career as a drummer so far include performing in Europe and opening up for Dick Dale, the B-52s, The New Mastersounds, LMFAO, and Lady Gaga, and performing on stage with Stevie Wonder.
