Wayne Wilentz performs with Jim West (drums) and David Jernigan (bass) in his trio. Percussionist Roberto Berimbau joins them to form the Quartet.
In his band Trio Balanca, he is with Nicki Gonzalez (vocals) and Jamieson Tobey (drums).
He also performs regularly with Cheryl Jones (vocals), George Jones (drums), Karen Gray (vocals) and Brad Collins (vocals, sax).
On the pop/funk side, Wayne is proud to be a member of "Five Finger Discount", the DC area's newest and most authentic '70's era funk band/supergroup, led by guitar/bass visionary Paul Pieper.
Influences
Milton Nascimento, Wayne Shorter, Tom Jobim, Fats Waller, Charles Mingus, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Bud Powell, Sergio Mendes, Zimbo Trio, Elis Regina, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Bobby Timmons, Red Garland, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, The Beatles, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Joao Bosco, Ivan Lins, Nelson Cavaquinho, Johnny Alf, Carlos Lyra, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Joyce, Chico Buarque, and Djavan.
Wayne has performed with such famous R&B acts as Carl Gardner's Coasters, The Shirelles, The Marvellettes, and Jimmy Norman. He was a keyboardist and composer for the '80's funk band "SKYY" from 1981 to 1989, and possesses a gold record commemorating their chart-topping Album "Skyy Line" on Salsoul Records. Born in New York City, Wayne moved to Washington in 1989, and has played Brazilian and American Jazz in the nation's capitol since then. Wayne has a B.S. in Speech from Northwestern University, and produced the nightly jazz program on the school's radio station, WNUR.
Since moving to the DC area, Wayne has recorded on a number of CD's, many of which he co-produced. Karen Devitt's "Peel Me A Grape" (1991), "Way Out There" by Exodus Quartet (1995), The Wayne Wilentz Trio"...e nossos amigos" (1995), Valucha's "Born In Brazil" (1997), Thievery Corporation's "Songs from The Thievery Hi-Fi" (1998), Pam Bricker, Wayne Wilentz and Jim West's "U-topia" (2000 - Winner of the WAMMIE award for Contemporary Jazz CD of 2000), Michelle Walker's "Slow Down" (2001- Nominee for Independent Record of the Year and a top seller on MP3.com), Karen Gray's "In Good Company" (2002), Thievery Corporation's "The Richest Man In Babylon" (2002), "Chiclete Com Banana" by Nicki Gonzalez, Jamieson Tobey and Wayne Wilentz (2003).
In 2004, Wayne released his first compilation of original material entitled "Break of Dawn". It featured vocals by four of DC's finest jazz singers, Pam Bricker, Patrick Desantos, Nicki Gonzalez and Steve Washington.
"Break of Dawn", "U-topia", "Slow Down" and "In Good Company" were all recorded at Backstreet Studios, Wayne's recording studio. Recent efforts from the studio include Liz Briones' debut CD, Renee Tannenbaum's CD "Sway", and the new CD by Diane Daly, "I Ain't Blue". The track "Home At Last" from "U-topia" was included on the ESC Records salute to Steely Dan, "Maestros of Cool" (2006), alongside tracks by Chuck Loeb, Don Braden, Cornelius Bumpus and many other well known artists.
The Wayne Wilentz Quartet has just released their new CD "Recordar É Viver". Release parties will be announced very soon! The CD is a reflection of the material they have been working on recently, including originals by Wayne and David, plus works by great composers from Brazil and the USA, like Chico Buarque, Duke Ellington, Nelson Cavaquinho and Jimi Hendrix.
Over the years Wayne has done many sessions for ESL Music and Thievery Corporation, and can be heard on remixes by them, particularly on "Dirty Little Secret" from Sarah McLaughlin's remix CD "Bloom". He is also on the new ESL CD by Natalia Clavier entitled "Nectar".
Photo credits: Default pic by Jude Gustafson; Adams Morgan Day shots by Diane Daly-www.headfirstphotos.com
VIDEOS:
1) The Wayne Wilentz Brazilian Band at Adams Morgan Day 2007
2) Dana Wilentz singing "True Colors" at Watkins Mill High School Choral Concert 2008
3) Five Finger Discount live at Del Ray Festival 2008
4) The Wayne Wilentz Trio live at Bossa Bistro; "Nao Deixa Samba Morer".
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT WAYNE AND HIS RECORDINGS:
"One of Washington's most accomplished jazz pianists, particularly in modern mainstream and Brazilian styles"- Washingtonian Magazine
"...on Midnight Rain...pianist Wayne Wilentz's solo is a gem.." JazzImprov magazine review of Perry Conticchio's Cd "Speak Your Truth"
"...a tight, authentic Brazilian trio..."
On The One Magazine
"All in all, it's a charming album, marked by a series of
appealing collaborations." (Mike Joyce)
"..a long and strong draw....and rightfully so. " (Eve Zibart)
The Washington Post
"I like it (the CD) very much!"
Mauricio Einhorn (world-famous Brazilian composer and hamonicat).
"Wilentz has good command of the structures...exhibits great taste in material and heads off on interesting linear routes."
Bossa Magazine (reviewed by Fred Bouchard).
OCT.17 SWEETER'S DAY SAT. NIGHT CONNECT & CUDDLE DANCE PARTY!! With a Few Specially Selected Live Performances!!! Also Official Afterparty for: DeJuan "NYCE" Thompson & SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS 97-05' REUNION! Hosted By: Night Knight Ent. 4 Bros. Ent Penny's Pure Diamond Ent. Solo Polo Promotions The Video Magazine Lord_X_Odus The Wild Onion & Spinning Turntables DJ Kool Ant!!! Capital Night Club (3 fully loaded bars!) 4244 N. Milwaukee Chicago, IL 60641 21yrs & up w/ ID Doors: Open @ 9pm-3am Ladies Free B4 12:00am $5 After Guys $5 B4 12:00 am & $10 After Casual Dress Attire
Free Roses for the 1st 25 ladies after Midnight! Free Talent Extrodinaire *Ayona* Promo Give-A-Ways! Respect My Gnine Vol. 3 Mixtape Promo Raffle! Sweeter's Day Group Discounts!!
More info contact: (773) 632-7768 dthomps779@yahoo.com or 773-405-6154 NightKnightenent@gmail.com or 312 576-0828 xodlo@sbcglobal.net
Veja Entrevista que dei para o Programa “Repertório Independente”, onde eu falo de minha carreira, minha história e apesar de estar bastante gripado, ainda canto algumas canções.
Para ver este e vários outros vídeos meus no youtube, entre no link abaixo:
MyHotCommentsWayne, Trials and Tribulations will either make us More Holy, or More Sinful depending [GREATLY] on our Relationship to God/with God, Amen? Because when testings come (and they WILL come "IF" you are Walking right), WE will either TRUST God's purposes and FIND Peace, OR "we" can Trust in our OWN plans, start walking in the "Vanity of our mind", thereby developing a NEGATIVE OUTLOOK or DISPOSITION and thus DEVELOPING A BITTER, and CYNICAL heart. We may NOT like our situation (and in MOST cases "we" WON'T), BUT, because WE "Are CHRISTIANS"; because we are a "Chosen Generation; because we are a Royal Priesthood; because we are a Holy Nation and a Peculiar People"...WE... "SHOULD"... LOVE...GOD and WE...MUST...TRUST..."HIS"...WILL FOR OUR LIVES!
The Bible says "And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire" (Matt.26:39 AMP).
The Bible also says "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome" (Jer.29:11 AMP).
Is that where the phrase "Trusting God's Purposes" came from......Hmmm?!!?
hey coming by to say whats good.hope u have a great year!
n.e.s smoothfellaz ent
www.twitter.com/mrnes sopranocity on itunes now hey yo wanted to show you my videocarribean ganster.i just droped it.please tell me if you like.god bless have a great year hope you enjoy it.if you like the track you can download it from the link on this msg
Always Keep the inner light going and continue to follow your soul. No borders, No artificial vibes . Do u until the wheels fall off. May u have a wonderful New Year Always stay true Wayne Wilentz
Hi! My debut album Nectar: OUT June 10th In stores and available on iTunes. Yeah! :) Hola! Mi disco debut Nectar: SALE el 10 de Junio En tiendas y disponible en iTunes. Siii! :) ***La fecha de salida para España y América Latina será anunciada muy pronto!
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