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Rodney Whitaker
Whitaker is one of the leading performers and teachers of jazz double bass in the United States. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and received national recognition performing with the Terence Blanchard Quintet. Whitaker has also toured internationally as a featured performer with the Roy Hargrove Quintet. In addition, he has appeared and presented master classes at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) conferences. Featured on more than 100 recordings - from film to compact discs - Whitaker's film score, China, directed by Jeff Wray, was released on PBS in 2002.
In 2006, he was nominated for the Juno Award, Canada's equivalent to the Grammy, for his work on “Let Me Tell You About My Day,” produced by Alma Records. Whitaker collaborated with musicians Phil Dwyer and Alan Jones on the album, which was nominated for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year.
A proven and committed jazz educator, Whitaker has presented numerous master classes across the nation at locations such as Duke University, Howard University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, the New School (NY), Lincoln Center, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival. In addition, he is a consultant with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the development of a jazz education department, and has served on the faculties of University of Michigan and Juilliard Institute of Jazz.
Whitaker attended Wayne State University, and studied with Robert Gladstone, principal bass with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave.
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Jordan VanHemert: Survival of the Fittest
by Gary Fukushima
For most of his life, Jordan VanHemert has been on a quest of growth and mastery as a saxophonist, composer and musician. But equally important have been his efforts to contextualize some of the difficulties of his life experiences within the deeper themes of his DNA, discovering in the process resilience, optimism and joy. Jordan's music is meant to convey empathy and solidarity to others who have also faced challenges in their lives. This album, Jordan's fifth as a leader, ...
Continue ReadingJordan VanHemert: Survival of the Fittest
by Jack Bowers
Although the title of saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's fifth album, Survival of the Fittest, may elicit images of a crash course in self-defense, that is not at all what he had in mind. The music is thematic, he says, and represents the twin lodestars of adversity and resilience. Even that, however, becomes largely irrelevant once VanHemert and his supporting cast launch what is at its heart a narrative of contemporary post-bop jazz. It is a cast that varies in ...
Continue ReadingBen Markley: Tell the Truth
by Jack Bowers
Ben Markley, who has already earned wide praise as a pianist, educator and leader of the Ben Markley Big Band, brandishes his sturdy composing and arranging chops on Tell the Truth, wherein he leads an able-bodied Colorado-based quintet through its paces on eight of his typically melodious and sunlit original compositions. According to Markley, the pieces were written to parallel the classic 1960s Blue Note quintet recordings, with guitarist Steve Kovalcheck replacing the customary trumpet lead and ...
Continue ReadingAnthony Stanco: Stanco's Time
by Jack Bowers
Anthony Stanco. Keep the name in mind, as you are likely to hear it mentioned soon enough as the most recent link in a chain of renowned bop trumpeters that started with Dizzy Gillespie and has numbered among its illustrious members Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Carmell Jones and a host of other luminaries. Now, after a lengthy period during which no one stepped forward to assume the mantle of bop trumpeter extraordinaire, and as ...
Continue ReadingRodney Whitaker: Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Paul Rauch
In their fourth collaboration on Origin Records, bassist and bandleader Rodney Whitaker and Central Michigan composer Gregg Hill strike gold once again, backed by a formidable gathering of musicians. Hill's music has experienced a surge in interest due to his prolific releases on Origin, which have featured musicians in and around the impressive jazz faculty roster at Michigan State University, a program with Whitaker at the helm. Hill's compositions have a notable sound uniquely tied to both urban ...
Continue ReadingRodney Whitaker, Julia Hulsmann, Jeremy Pelt and Amina Claudine Myers
by Hobart Taylor
New music from bassist Rodney Whitaker and from his proteges Kasan Belgrave and Nanami Haruta... Also Julia Hulsmann, Jeremy Pelt and Peter Lenz.Playlist Kasan Belgrave “Down 4 the Count" from Dual Citizen (Tribe) 0:00 Nanami Haruta “ Sister Tosa" from The Vibe (Origin) 7:38 Rodney Whitaker “Mosaic" from Mosaic (Origin) 14:17 Yulia Musayelyan “ Carnavalito" from Strange Times (Wherego Music) 22:33 Host Speaks 29:16 Jeremy Pelt “Invention #2 Black Conscience" from Woven (HighNote) 30:22 Claire Cope & Ensemble ...
Continue ReadingRodney Whitaker: Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Michael Dease
At just fifty-six years young, Rodney Whitaker has cemented his legendary status as a sought-after bassist extraordinaire and, arguably the pre-eminent jazz educator of his generation. The Detroit, Michigan native, recently elected to the hallowed ranks of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, that includes such innovators as Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., continues to firmly establish himself as a superb interpreter of original music, notably through his fruitful association with composer Gregg Hill. Mosaic is ...
Continue ReadingCarl Allen/Rodney Whitaker Project To Perform Music From Their Mack Avenue Cd Work To Do, At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, November 9-14
Source:
DL Media
"Work to Do features reworked pop-classics and originals that range from achingly beautiful tunes to those possessing an energized post-bop feel." - All About Jazz “On Work To Do, rhythm section par excellence Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker tap into their roots and offer an engaging and user-friendly repertoire that includes standards, pop classics, soul music, gospel influences, and post-bop originals...crafting music that keeps listeners tapping their toes, snapping their fingers and generally having a good time." - Audiophile Audition ...
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Rodney Whitaker to be Guest Artist for SWIC Jazz Festival on February 21
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
Bassist Rodney Whitaker (pictured) will be the guest artist and clinician at the 2009 Southwestern Illinois College Jazz Festival, to be held on Saturday, February 21 at SWIC's Belleville Campus Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave.Whitaker, who currently performs with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and serves as chair of jazz studies at Michigan State University, will give a master class at 1:00 p.m., perform with the SWIC Jazz Band at 2:00 p.m., and present a concert at 7:30 ...
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The Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project - This Friday! Rubin Museum-NYC
Source:
Two for the Show Media
Drummer/Composer, Carl Allen & Bassist/Composer, Rodney Whitaker will be bringing The Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project to the Rubin Museum this Friday February 29th, 2008 as part of the Harlem in the Himalayas series at the Rubin Museum. Carl Allen - Drums Rodney Whitaker - Bass Antonio Hart - Alto & soprano saxophone Aaron Goldeberg - Piano Rodney Jones - Guitar February 29, 2008- Showtime- 7:00 PM Admission $18 in advance/$20 ...
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Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker CD Release Party Monday, June 11th at Sweet Rhythm
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE MACK AVENUE RELEASE OF CARL ALLEN AND RODNEY WHITAKER MONDAY, JUNE 11TH SWEET RHYTHM 88 7TH AVENUE SOUTH NEW YORK, NY (212) 255-3626 SET TIMES: 8 & 10 PM
CARL ALLEN - DRUMS RODNEY WHITAKER - BASS GEORGE COLLIGAN - PIANO STEVE WILSON - SAXOPHONES RODNEY JONES - GUITAR
“They've created ...
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Nathan Borton
guitar
Langston Kitchen
bassPhotos
Music
The Singer
From: Waking DreamBy Rodney Whitaker
Here and Now
From: Survival of the FittestBy Rodney Whitaker
Claxilever
From: Mosaic: The Music of Gregg HillBy Rodney Whitaker
Girlie's World
From: The VibeBy Rodney Whitaker
Don't Bring It Up
From: Tell the TruthBy Rodney Whitaker
Grove's Groove
From: Grove's GrooveBy Rodney Whitaker
Showtime
From: Stanco's TimeBy Rodney Whitaker
Call to Order
From: Deep in the SoilBy Rodney Whitaker
The Lost Tune
From: The Door is Open: The Music of...By Rodney Whitaker
Hit the Road to Dreamland
From: DreamLandBy Rodney Whitaker
Betty's Tune
From: Oasis: The Music of Gregg HillBy Rodney Whitaker
Andy's Lament
From: Puppets: The Music of Gregg HillBy Rodney Whitaker
Bird, Bird, Bluebird
From: NomadBy Rodney Whitaker
Each Step
From: Each StepBy Rodney Whitaker
S.O.S.
From: Rust Belt Roots: Randy Napoleon...By Rodney Whitaker
Outrospection
From: Outrospection: The Music of...By Rodney Whitaker
In the Bleak Midwinter
From: Cranbrook Christmas JazzBy Rodney Whitaker
Realization
From: RealizationBy Rodney Whitaker
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