Whitaker/Allen Project
Rodney Whitaker
Carl Allen
Cyrus Chestnut
Rodney Jones
Steve Wilson
Michigan State University Professors of Jazz
Rodney Whitaker
Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson
Vincent Chandler
Derrick Gardner
Randy Gelispie
Diego Rivera
Rick Roe
Sunny Wilkinson
Rodney Whitaker's New York Quartet
Myself & any of the cats I've performed with in the past, presently &
so to be
Message to All:
My children, students and family members assist in the presentation and
production of my "MySpace" account. I've received many friend requests
that are nude or displaying nudity, and are more than I care to have
displayed on my account. If there are any slightly nude or nude picutres on your account of yourself or anyone else, I'll be unable to approve you as a friend. Thank you, Rodney Whitaker
Influences
God
Pops & Moms
Paul Chambers
Sam Jones
Ray Brown
Ron Carter
Oscar Pettiford
Milt "The Judge" Hinton
My family:
(God, The Cookster, Rockey, Lang--"The Football"--Man ..32, Roz, E, G & Noni)--they're the driving force behind all that I was, all that I am & all that I am soon-to-be.
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TO: Fans of MSU Jazz Studies:
Inside jazz: Everybody's Welcome and That's What Swingin' Is are now available on DVD.
Visit www.insidejazz.org to order.
Inside Jazz: Everybody’s Welcome, a video documentary featuring Rodney Whitaker and the MSU Professors of Jazz, guest artists Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz orchestra, Andrew Speight, Ursula Walker, Buddy Budson, and Joe Temperley is now available on DVD. Inside Jazz was premiered in March 2004 at the East Lansing Film Festival, winning 3rd place, and has been honored with a Gold Award from the Aurora International Film and Video Awards, and a CHRIS Award from the Columbus International Film and Video Festival. It has been broadcast locally, regionally and nationally. This program weaves together performances, interviews, classes, and jam sessions to shed light on the music, the musicians, and the love of jazz that is at the center of the jazz experience.
From a review in the Lansing City Pulse by Laurence Cosentino:
" All these scenes are recorded as if through a crystal-clear, floating mental window, unsmudged by current cliches of documentary filmmaking. Cameras don't lurch in every direction; there are no silly whooshing noises between shots.This production is first-class all the way. The film's pacing, editing and camerawork go beyond professionalism to show a profound sensitivity toward its unique subject matter."
That’s What Swingin’ Is is a 1-hour master class DVD featuring trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the music of Duke Ellington. Using humor, his extensive knowledge of jazz history and performance, and an unerring sense of what will bring jazz music alive, Marsalis engages a large audience of musicians and music lovers in a fast moving mix of music, teaching, and insight. The audience is treated to an audible transformation of the MSU Big Band I, as Marsalis cajoles and coaches greater expressivity and power from the young musicians. Marsalis also works with trumpeter Kris Johnson in Ellington's "The Shepherd", helping the young trumpeter understand the piece and it's history. Johnson's performance changes as Marsalis draws both power and subtlety out of the young artist.
Both Inside Jazz: Everybody’s Welcome and That’s What Swingin’ Is can be viewed as television programs or can be explored chapter by chapter, providing valuable tools for jazz and musical education. Each is subdivided by theme and can be used in classes or by individuals interested in jazz. That’s What Swingin’ Is also has special features, including Wynton's thoughts on music and life recorded in a lively Q & A session following his Master Class.
Both DVD's are recorded in digital video and stereo audio.
Visit www.insidejazz.org to order.
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Rodney Whitaker is a Michigan treasure and one of the world's renowned Jazz bass performers and educators. A Detroit native, he grew up in the city soaking in the sounds of jazz/classical music and working/studying with the finest musicians in the city--Marcus Belgrave, Kenneth Cox, Donald Walden, Randy Gelispie, Stephen Molina, Robert Gladstone, Francisco Mora-Catlett, Alma Smith, Shahidah Nurullah and many, many others. Building on his Detroit roots and enormous talent, Whitaker went on to earn an international reputation as one of the world's finest jazz double bass performers. He completed a seven-year tenure as bassist with Wynton Marsalis Sextet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He has toured the world over the last twenty years, collaborating with legendary performers such as Dianne Reeves, Mulgrew Miller, Diana Krall, Terence Blanchard, Kathleen Battle, Cyrus Chestnut, Gerald Wilson, Carl Allen, Hank Jones, Marian McPartland, Johnny O'Neal, Kenny Burrell, Bob James, Benny Golson, Kenny Garrett, Branford Marsalis, the late John Lewis, Tommy Flanagan, Kevin Mahogany, Jon Carl Hendricks, Wycliffe Gordon, Jon Faddis, Vanessa Rubin, Betty Bebop Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Curtis Fuller, Donald Byrd, Dizzy Gilispie, Johnny Griffin, Joshua Redman, Cassandra Wilson, Pat Methany, Chick Corea and Roy Hargrove as well as with leading symphony orchestras. Now based in East Lansing, Whitaker continues to remember his Detroit roots, serving many of the city's talented students as Director of the Detroit Civic Jazz Orchestra, Musical Director for Jazz Education at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Director of the Jazz in the Studio Mentorship Program and summer jazz camp in cooperation with the Arts League of Michigan. Currently, he is on Michigan State University's faculty as Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Jazz Bass and has built a leading jazz degree program and performing faculty, Michigan State University Professors of Jazz as the Artistic Director. His legacy of teaching promises to be distinguished, with former students currently performing with jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Stephon Harris and many others.
Hello Rodney. I've entered The Roots Remix Contest at Indabamusic. com. If I win I get to spend two days in the studio recording one of my tracks with The Roots! I think it would be really cool if a jazz musician won this high profile contest! Please support me with your vote by clicking on the link below . Thank you!!!
Just stopped by to let you know that my artist Brian O'Neal, has just released his first and only Holiday CD. His rendition of some of the the greatest Christmas classics of all.
The Jazz Spot 375 kosciuszko Street (Entrance on Marcus Garvey Blvd) Bed-stuy, Brooklyn New York (Between Kosciuszko & Dekalb)
Train: A,C,F,4,5,2,3 take to Downtown Brooklyn walk one black to Fulton Street take Bus 38 (ride 15 minutes)to Lafayette & Marcus Garvey Blvd Walk 1 & half blocks to Marcus Garvey
OR
J train to Kosciuszko Street/ walk 4 long blocks on Kosciuszko to Marcus Garvey Blvd
JAM/OPEN MIC SESSION EVERY MONDAY FROM 8PM TO 12AM
Rodney.....it's been a long time, way too long. I'm so proud of your accomplishments. It's good to read all that you've done......so glad to see that someone from our old band has done it right. I'm in Atlanta doing my thang....trying to carve me a small space down here. Anywho, get in touch with me.....we have a lot of catching up to do. Hit me back here on the space and I'll email u my number. God bless you & your family.
Hey Rodney, I just wanted to say that I am proud of you for directing the Arts League of Michigan performance at the 2007 jazz fest. I was in the audience and my chest swelled with pride at these youngsters who are playing the music all because of your hard work. I had a chance to talk with pianist Clinton Johnson and I am arranging having him on my jazz show. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
I just wanted personally welcome you to the premiere issue of Bass Musician Magazine, an online publication dedicated to helping you to enhance your musical awareness and growth.
We have several areas in the magazine that Myspace members might find especially helpful... This includes information on how to submit events and materials to Bass Musician Magazine for consideration as well as free virtual subscriptions and a very special introductory launch deal for listings in our Marketplace and Directory.
Log on and have a look: http://www.BassMusicianMag.com
And drop us a line and let us know what you think!
Best,
Raul Amador Creative Director, Bass Musician Magazine [ For the evolving bassist ] http://www.BassMusicianMag.com ____________________________________
Online Now!