“Old Knew,” Gregory Groover Jr.’s fourth album, takes this Boston-based composer and saxophone player into new terrain.

Aided by four highly regarded musicians, the album, released Nov. 7 by the Dutch record company Criss Cross Jazz, shows Groover’s confidence by taking his music out of its previous thematic contexts. The recording is more about the band’s ease and trust in one another.

The band on the record is Joel Ross on vibes, Paul Cornish on piano, Harish Raghavan on bas; and Kendrick Scott on drums. All four musicians record their own albums on the prestigious Blue Note label. Produced by Walter Smith III, “Old Knew” is proof of Groover’s step up in the jazz world.

Groover will be performing at the Regattabar in Harvard Square for one show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Joining him will be Matt Greenwood, guitar; Kris Davis, piano; John Lockwood, acoustic bass; and Jharis Yokley, drums.

Dividing his time between teaching at Berklee College of Music, composing and performing, Groover at 32 years old is grounded by his spirituality, upbringing in the church and being part of a well-known family that leads in the community. “Old Knew” is a highly personal album.

The Banner spoke with Groover a few weeks ago.

Banner: Tell us about “Old Knew.”

Groover: I’m building upon “Loveabye,” my previous album. And challenging myself as a composer and musician. “Loveabye” has a consistent mood and is thematic, and I wanted to shift here to focus on the band: the instrumentation and the spontaneity. And continue on my path as a composer. The idea with, “Old Knew” is to trust our instincts as a band, and also to build on collective wisdom from my mentors, parents, teachers, church family and Walter Smith, who produced the album.

“Old Knew” as a title, is suggestive.

“Old Knew” is a play on words.

Old music, new music. Trusting an older version of myself, knowing what the music should be.

That version hasn’t left me and continues to guide me. The music is a tribute to that wisdom.

What do the other musicians bring specifically to the album?

Paul Cornish is an incredible listener and ensemble player and thematic accompanist. He helps the songs in very subtle, nuanced ways. He has a maturity that people strive their whole lives to get. Harish Raghavan is another hero of mine. One thing I noticed, from the first song we did, was how he ignited the music. He took things in different directions. He brought that energy to push the band from the bass. Raghavan plays with the spirit of “What would it be like to consider this?” Kendrick Scott composes in the moment and brings a feeling of excitement to the music. He has a lyrical way of playing. Joel Ross makes suggestions, recommendations. Like his drum intro on the song “Good Sir” added anticipation.

You wrote or arranged 10 pieces on the album.

Yes, and the 11th is “Retrograde” by Jason Moran. Including the song honors him. We met at the Umbria Jazz Festival in 2024. He’s a guiding force.

Specific tunes on the album are very personal: “551,” for example.

551 is the address of the Charles Street A.M.E. Church, where my father is pastor and where I was brought up. It brings me joy. The church has a vibe when you’re in it. And of course, being the pastor’s son! The song is not soft and sweet, in the middle it’s moody.

And the song “Juanita and Betty,” which is about your grandmothers.

I knew my mom’s mom Betty best. She was an extremely wonderful, powerful Black woman.

I know about the sacrifices she made for her family. She was sweet and soft spoken, and if we were hungry, she would cook a full-fledged meal. My father’s mother, Juanita, was both hilarious and strict. She didn’t play games. She raised eight children in the projects in Freeport, Long Island.

And the song “William and Vinson,” about your grandfathers.

My father’s father, William, was the spitting image of my father. What he must have instilled in my father and five uncles and two aunts! My mother’s father was a cool guy: he wore a cool Kangol hat and had an old Chevy van, and he had a vibe about him that was slick and cool. The sacrifices of all of these family members made me who I am today.

ON THE WEB

Learn more at gregorygrooverjr.com and regattabarjazz.com