Across Time from BloodLines by Rico Jones

Across Time
“Across Time” begins the album’s epilogue—a final trilogy of compositions that shift the focus from ancestral memory and personal reckoning toward metaphysical contemplation and spiritual transcendence. Inspired by the intensity and vision of Art Blakey, John Coltrane, and Freddie Hubbard, the piece pulses with forward motion, yet beneath the drive lies a deeper inquiry: what is time, truly?

For Rico Jones, Across Time explores the human experience of consciousness within the temporary vessel of the body. He challenges the notion of linear time, suggesting instead that what we call the “passage” of time is merely the transformation of matter. Our perception of time arises from physical decay, generational memory, and movement through space—but the spirit within us remains unchanged. Time, in its truest form, does not move. It is.

Musically, the composition reflects this paradox. It carries rhythmic intensity and harmonic urgency, yet feels rooted in something timeless. The improvisations are explosive, searching, alive—but never chaotic. They echo the spiritual drive of Coltrane and the elemental force of Blakey, filtered through Jones’s own compositional lens.

As the entry point into the album’s final arc, Across Time sets the stage for The Moment and The Voice of God Shines Brightly on My Heart. Together, they form a trilogy that dismantles the illusion of chronology, guiding the listener toward presence, awareness, and the infinite stillness that lives beneath the surface of all movement.

Rico Jones is a Harlem-based saxophonist, composer, and educator known for his powerful sound, original voice, and deep connection to the jazz tradition. He has performed with renowned artists, led ensembles across the U.S. and abroad, and released critically acclaimed original work. His music bridges generations, blending fearless innovation with cultural and historical depth rooted in community.

ricojonesmusician.com