Baltimore-born trumpeter and composer Brandon Woody makes a compelling entrance with his debut album, For The Love Of It All, released on May 9, 2025, via Blue Note Records. Far from a conventional first release, this six-track project is a deeply personal manifesto that intertwines themes of love, ancestry, and resilience.
Woody is joined by his band, Upendo—Troy Long (piano, organ, Rhodes, keyboards), Quincy Phillips (drums), and Michael Saunders (bass)—alongside special guests Imani-Grace (vocals) and Vittorio Stropoli (auxiliary synth). Together, they craft a soundscape that traverses gospel, post-bop, and contemporary jazz, reflecting Woody's journey from his early musical education in Baltimore to his decision to leave the Manhattan School of Music in 2018 to immerse himself in his hometown's vibrant Black music scene.
Track Highlights:
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"Never Gonna Run Away": Opening the album, this track draws from gospel traditions and Woody's childhood memories, serving as a meditation on faith and endurance. Long's shimmering piano, Grace's ethereal vocals, and the rhythmic grounding of Phillips and Saunders create a sound that feels both cosmic and intimate.
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"Beyond the Reach of Our Eyes": This piece channels the flow of energy that transcends physical boundaries, with an unconventional structure that dances between odd and even meters while maintaining a patterned pulse—a reminder that energy carries on, even when unseen.
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"Wisdom; Terrace on St. Paul St.": Evoking the sensation of tuning into a distant memory, this track reflects Woody's return to Baltimore and his efforts to reconnect with his roots, filling fractures in familial history through the activation of inner wisdom provided by ancestors both known and unknown.
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"Perseverance": A testament to the grueling yet cathartic process of pushing through obstacles, this track emerged from a studio session where ideas were broken down and polished into something resonant, highlighting the band's dynamic synergy.
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"We, Ota Benga": A nearly nine-minute composition that serves as a musical representation of Ota Benga's life, beginning in the Congo when Benga still belonged to himself. Woody insists on this foundation, demanding that we see Ota Benga in all his complexity before the exploitation is ever mentioned.
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"Real Love, Pt. 1": Co-written by Long, this track is where the band empties themselves entirely, leaving traces of their humanity—sweat, laughter, and tears—pressed into the sound. It's a bold testament to the trust, interplay, and love that binds them.
Critics have lauded For The Love Of It All for its balance between structure and freedom, its emotional depth, and its innovative fusion of genres. The Financial Times awarded the album four stars, noting Woody's blend of jazz tradition with modern, beat-driven dynamics.
For The Love Of It All is available for streaming on major platforms and for purchase on CD and vinyl through Blue Note Records.
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