More than 750 years after the Sufi poet Rumi wrote, "Love is the whole thing. We are only pieces," drummer and composer Matt Wilson has found a powerful way to bring those words to life. On Love Is the Whole Thing, We Are Only Pieces, arriving September 18, 2026 via Palmetto Records, Wilson reunites his acclaimed Good Trouble ensemble for a deeply human collection that celebrates love, community and compassion as acts of gentle protest.
Following the band's 2024 debut, which drew inspiration from civil rights icon John Lewis and his call to create "good trouble," Wilson expands that vision with music that embraces connection over division. Rather than responding to uncertainty with anger, the album offers warmth, generosity and shared experience, inviting listeners into a space where jazz becomes both sanctuary and statement.
"I wanted to make a love record," Wilson says. "I'm blessed to have this community. I'm blessed to have the career that I've had. I'm blessed to have a beautiful family. So I want to use the music to help celebrate what's possible, especially in the world we're in right now. It's nice to know that we can take people away from their troubles for a little bit, sonically and spiritually."
Love Is the Whole Thing, We Are Only Pieces reunites Wilson with Good Trouble members Tia Fuller, Dawn Clement, Jeff Lederer and Ben Allison while welcoming alto saxophonist Anisha Rush, whose performances with the group over the past several years have made her a natural addition. Their chemistry reflects relationships built over decades, giving the music an effortless sense of trust and shared purpose.
Wilson's extended musical family is reflected throughout the project. The album cover features a quilt created by his wife, Kim Taylor Wilson, whose artistry echoes the record's themes of connection and care. The release also marks 30 years since Wilson's Palmetto Records debut, As Wave Follows Wave, celebrating a remarkable three-decade collaboration between the drummer, the label and producer/engineer Matt Balitsaris.
The album's repertoire mirrors Wilson's expansive musical outlook. His own compositions sit comfortably alongside works by jazz visionaries and beloved songwriters, creating a program that feels both adventurous and deeply inviting. The opening "Wind Spirit" unfolds with remarkable patience as Dawn Clement sings the Biblical verse from John 3:8 before the ensemble gradually gathers around her. Bobby Watson's "Fuller Love (aka In Case You Missed It)" serves as both a tribute to trombone legend Curtis Fuller and a showcase for Tia Fuller, while Andrew Hill's "Black Fire" ignites with fearless improvisation.
Perhaps the album's most unexpected moment comes with Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down." Reimagined as an understated anthem of resilience, the familiar rock classic becomes a meditation on quiet perseverance. As Wilson explains, "I'm not going to back down. I'm just going to keep trying this stuff and keep forging ahead. Besides, it's kind of cool to have Andrew Hill and Tom Petty on the same record."
Original compositions such as "Joonam" and "Welcome Table" deepen the album's message of inclusion and belonging. Inspired by a Farsi term of endearment, "Joonam" carries a timeless sense of familial affection, while "Welcome Table," borrowing its title from James Baldwin, celebrates dialogue, fellowship and the transformative power of gathering together. Ben Allison contributes "Green Al," given a dreamlike new dimension through Dawn Clement's lyrics and electric bass textures, while Wilson honors the late Jack DeJohnette with a joyful interpretation of "Festival."
The title track brings the journey to a moving conclusion as friends and family join together to chant Rumi's enduring words, transforming ancient poetry into a communal expression of hope for the future.
Few artists embody the spirit of modern jazz quite like Matt Wilson. Across more than 400 recordings as a leader, co-leader and sideman, he has built a reputation for joyful swing, boundless curiosity and an unwavering commitment to bringing people together through music. Love Is the Whole Thing, We Are Only Pieces may be his clearest expression yet of that lifelong mission, reminding us that even in difficult times, love remains the force that binds us together.
Love Is the Whole Thing, We Are Only Pieces will be released September 18, 2026 via Palmetto Records. Wilson celebrates the album with release concerts at Birdland in New York City from September 25-27, featuring Tia Fuller, Anisha Rush, Dawn Clement, Jeff Lederer and Ben Allison.
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