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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: Deep in the Soil
by C. Andrew Hovan
Born in Korea and raised in Michigan, Jordan VanHemert counts himself among those youngsters that got involved in his school music program by starting out on the alto saxophone. Also like many of his fellow saxophonists, VanHemert eventually moved away from the smaller horn to devote his full energies to the tenor sax, an instrument emblematic of the jazz heritage. In my formative years, I was almost exclusively an alto saxophonist," VanHemert explained from his current home base in Oklahoma. ...
read moreRandy Napoleon: The Door is Open: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Paul Rauch
In and around the formidable jazz studies program at Michigan State University is a plethora of jazz talent devoted to instrumental and compositional excellence. Most of this talent is young, benefiting from a wide array of world-class instructors that includes program director Rodney Whitaker and veteran guitarist Randy Napoleon, among other notables. Within this labyrinth of jazz wisdom in the Detroit / Lansing metroplex is composer Gregg Hill, a former truck driver and tech entrepreneur whose performing ambitions were superseded ...
read moreRodney Whitaker: Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill
by Jack Bowers
Oasis is the third time around for bassist Rodney Whitaker and music written by fellow Michigander Gregg Hill, following Common Ground (Origin 82780) and Outrospection (Origin 82819). Personnel is the same as on Common Ground (Terell Stafford, trumpet; Tim Warfield, saxophone; Bruce Barth, piano; Dana Hall, drums; Rockelle Fortin, vocals) with Hall and Fortin returning from Outrospection (on which Fortin is listed as Rockelle Whitaker). Hill's compositions are for the most part firmly grounded in customary post-bop ...
read moreNathan Borton: Each Step
by Jane Kozhevnikova
Each Step is the debut recording by guitarist Nathan Borton. As his website accurately states, Borton draws heavily from the mid-western tradition of bebop and blues. His influences include Wes Montgomery, Grant Green and Kenny Burrell. The album offers an enjoyable tour through the straight-ahead tradition. There are three standards early on: Cole Porter's Just One of Those Things," Harry Warren's The More I See You" and John Lewis' Milestones." These show the virtuosity of Borton's solo lines. ...
read moreJordan VanHemert: Nomad
by Jane Kozhevnikova
After his previous album, I Am Not A Virus (Big Round Records, 2021), inspired by the ongoing fight against racial prejudice, Jordan VanHemert releases Nomad, continuing to explore and embrace his Asian American identity. As the liner note says, this album is a celebration of Korean culture through the melodies of both ancient & contemporary folk & children's songs, distilled through a modern jazz aesthetic." The opening tracks sound like a traditional saxophone trio similar to Sonny Rollins' ...
read moreJordan VanHemert: Nomad
by Jack Bowers
Although his name offers no clue, saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's heritage is Korean. He salutes that legacy on Nomad, his second album as leader, with a pair of Korean folk songs and half a dozen comparatively modern themes written by Koreans or Korean Americans. Most are performed by VanHemert's trio: (Rodney Whitaker, bass; David Alvarez III, drums). Pianist Lisa Sung, guitarist Nathan Borton, bassist John Webber, drummer Max Colley III and vocalist Sharon Cho join VanHemert on the children's song Half ...
read moreNathan Borton: Each Step
by Jack Bowers
Judging from recent album releases, the guitar remains an essential part of the contemporary jazz scene. The latest example among many is this tasteful session led by Kansas-born, Michigan-based Nathan Borton, adding his name to an ample roster of newly minted guitar-led or guitar-centered albums by Doug MacDonald, Graham Dechter, Kristian Borring, Randy Napoleon, John Moulder, Hendrik Braeckman, Paul Bollenback, Matt Dingledine and others. What does Borton have that they may not? When it comes to technique and perceptionthat is, ...
read moreCarl 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
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Music
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