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Whitney Moulton
Whitney's music keeps toes tapping and faces smiling throughout the evening.
About Me
When I was young, my Mom would buy me records as gifts, while she got other items for
my sisters. I loved those albums! When I took them to school for Show and Tell, I would
have to promise to be very careful to not damage the album; otherwise, I would not be
able to take another album to school later. I think I can still sing the lyrics to Winnie the
Pooh's Exercise Song.
While I was still too young to start piano lessons, I would watch and listen to my
older
sisters practiced for their lessons. After they finished practicing, I would go to the piano
and figure out what they had played. I did the same thing when they started to play band
instruments.
My first big step towards being a musician occurred when I chose to play oboe in the
fifth grade beginning band. This is an instrument I love and will always play. In high
school, when the really cool bass player graduated, the bass guitar spot came open. Bass
looked like it was fun to play. I tried it and was right. So, I borrowed a bass over the
summer and taught myself to play. Then in college I played a bass violin for the first time
and that was it, I was hooked. The college jazz ensembles and orchestra gave me more
opportunities to stretch my wings towards becoming a well-rounded bass player. Later,
when I began teaching private lessons, my students benefited from my experiences.
After college I started to perform on cruise ships and traveled the world for a year and a
half. There was nothing like playing 7 nights a week to advance my musicianship.
Upon returning to land I was a full time musician. Teaching a studio of up to 21 students,
substitute teaching in schools, holding coaching sessions for jazz bands in the local
schools, as well as continuing to perform at every opportunity, kept me more than busy.
After earning my Master's degree, I moved to New York City and furthered my professional
career. I have had the privilege of playing with jazz organ legend Sarah McLawler, Carol
Sudhalter, Emme Kemp, many Basie Band Alums, Dick Katz, Bronx Symphony Orchestra,
Regina Opera Company, Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, and The Jazzmobile. I have
also played in some of the best concert halls in New York City including Lincoln Center,
Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, and Birdland.
All of my teachers instilled in me the importance of versatility; therefore, I have
always strived to play and compose in any style of music that needs a bass, from jazz to
rock, Latin to folk, classical to pop and even bluegrass with a gut-bucket bass. It is this
versatility that allows me to cater to the tastes of the audience I am entertaining.
As a result of my varied experiences I felt it was time to record my first CD as a band
leader. The CD is comprised mostly of my original tunes and two of my favorite
standards.
I hope to release the CD this summer, tour with my band, and look forward to many new
projects as time goes on.