For Hargrove, whose previous release, 2008's quintet session Earfood (Groovin' High/Emarcy), found its way into dozens of jazz critics' year-end Top 10 lists, recording Emergence was not some crazy impulse decision but rather the realization of a dream. The Texas-born musician assembled the first incarnation of the big band back in 1995 for a New York jazz festival, then returned to the format on a more frequent basis several years ago.

The 11-track Emergence documents the present state of the Roy Hargrove Big Band's ongoing evolution. In addition to Hargrove on trumpet and flugelhorn, the ensemble consists of four other trumpet players (Frank Greene, Greg Gisbert, Darren Barrett, Ambrose Akinmisure), four trombonists (Jason Jackson, Vincent Chandler, Saunders Sermons, and Max Seigel on bass trombone), five reedists (Bruce Williams, alto saxophone and flute; Justin Robinson, alto and flute; Norbert Stachel, tenor sax and flute; Keith Loftis, tenor and flute; and Jason Marshall, baritone sax and flute), as well as pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Danton Boller, guitarist Saul Rubin, drummer Montez Coleman and percussionist Roland Guerrero. Vocalist Roberta Gambarini contributes her vocal charms to two tracks. Emergence was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood with Hargrove and his manager Larry Clothier producing and the multi-Grammy winner Al Schmitt engineering and mixing

Emergence Track Listing:

1. Velera
2. My Funny Valentine
3. Mambo For Roy
4. Requiem
5. September In The Rain
6. Every Time We Say Goodbye
7. La Puerta
8. Roy Allan
9. Tschpiso
10. Trust