(March 10, 2023) - "We do rest on the Hardbop era, late 50's," said Josh Feldstein, drummer for The Verve Jazz Ensemble that just released a new album titled "All In."

Josh schooled me on the history of their style music when I asked; how Swing changed to Bebop, and then Bebop changed to Hardbop.

"It's less dance more listen. A Swing groove blend of Swing and Bebop...with African Cubin/Latin mixed," he added.

The Verve Jazz Ensemble was founded by Feldstein in 2006 which was expanded from a quintet to a septet over 10 years later. The "All In" project is The Verve Jazz Ensemble's eighth album. Their projects have reached Top 50 and Top 10 Jazz Charts and even made #1 on a project.

"When I was a kid my drum teacher said, ‘You're drumming reminds me of a drummer for Benny Goodman. Drummers like you are a show.' He brought me a record it was on the Verve label. I listened to all the records with Verve and I loved it," Josh said about how he became a drummer, why he started the band and the reason for naming the band The Verve Jazz Ensemble.

On their style of music, Hardbop, he said, "When I formed the group and met Jon (sax)...he loved this music too...named it Verve Jazz Ensemble as homage to the Verve music longevity. We (the band) are a brotherhood/sisterhood of musicians."

Aside from Feldstein on drums and Jon Blanck on tenor sax, The Verve Jazz Ensemble consists of Tatum Greenblatt on trumpet; Willie Applewhite on trombone; Alexa Tarantino on alto sax and flute; Matt Oestreicher on piano and guitar, and Elias Bailey on bass. www.Verve-Jazz.com