Wayne Wilentz performs with Jim West (drums) and David Jernigan (bass) in his trio. In his band Trio Balanca, he is with Nicki Gonzalez (vocals) and Jamieson Tobey (drums). He also performs regularly with Cheryl Jones (vocals).
Photo credits: Default pic by Jude Gustafson; Adams Morgan Day shots by Diane Daly-www.headfirstphotos.com
3 Videos below:
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
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.
BUY MY MUSIC ON ITUNES!!!! ..
"The Wayne Wilentz Trio e nossos amigos" ..
"Break Of Dawn"
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.
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 will also be playing keys on the upcoming ESL CD by Natalia Clavier and Federico Aubele.
What people have said about Wayne and his trio:
"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).
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!
eu ouço pouco jaz,naum tenho oportunidade de ouvir muito,amo a musica brasileira,pena que aqui no Brasil,naum se dê o valor que a MPB merece,na TV é só sertanejo e axé. Aqui tb se faz rock tem Legião urbana. kiss
OI,tudo joia? Eu gostomuito de música e gostaria de saber que tipo de musica vc faz,tô curiosa,meu PC ta sem som. músico há quanto tempo? Vi vc na pagina do Lô. bjus
Cheers blood! Mad love and respect for you, keep on rocking Sol III with your stellar creative light in 2008, all good things continued, be well et rêves doux comme toujours, bisous!
...listening to "Voice of the Angels".... beautiful song... wonderful latin influences... great musicians... your piano playing is awesome... a big moment... Wayne, thanks for adding me.
Hi Wayne, So good receive your comment. It's a pleasure stay in touch. I'll look for about the jazz singer you said. And hope that you come to Brazil and so we can meet someday! Have a great weekend. Kisses from Brazil, Beth
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