CD Review: Rodney Whitaker, "Mosaic"

Legendary bassist Rodney Whitaker’s new CD, Mosaic, offers a vibrant collaboration with the compositions of Gregg Hill—a venture for both Whitaker and Hill that proves utterly compelling, even for first-time listeners like myself. As soon as you hear the title track, “Mosaic,” you're hooked. Whitaker’s arrangements—rich, colorful, and meticulously crafted—bring Hill’s compositions to life with precision and warmth.

The album unfolds like a painting: each composition is filled with color and mood, offering a familiar comfort while simultaneously delivering the thrill of discovery. The supporting musicians, including Terell Stafford (trumpet), Dana Hall (drums), Tim Warfield (soprano sax), and Rick Roe (piano), are nothing short of masterful. Their synergy shines through every note, from lyricism to swing.

Vocalist Rockelle Whitaker lends her dreamy voice to four of Gregg Hill’s compositions—three of which she helped bring to life by writing lyrics. Her contributions add another lyrical layer and emotional depth. Tracks like “Moonscape” and “Unknown Ballad” showcase her impeccable blend of expressiveness and technical skill—holding together complex rhythms with soul and poise.

Stafford’s trumpet, Warfield’s saxophone, Hall’s dynamic drumming, and Roe’s lyrical piano all weave through the soundscape with grace and intensity. Listening to Mosaic feels like witnessing what happens when a group of seasoned jazz masters convene around bold, beautifully composed material—and the result is pure magic.

Mosaic isn’t just an album—it’s a heartfelt conversation between composer, arranger, and performers. It celebrates creative cohesion and jazz dialogue. For anyone unfamiliar with Whitaker or Hill’s work, this album is the perfect introduction—richly textured yet ear-opening, professional yet personal.

I have attached two songs from the CD for your listening pleasure.  The first is the title tune, "Mosaic" that introduces the listener to the group of talented musicians who take on this beautiful soundscape.  It  includes brilliant solo work from Trumpeter Terrell Stafford, Dummer Dana Hall,  Soprano Saxophonist Tim Warfield and Rick Roe on Piano.  The second song is "Moonscape" that melts together 6/8, 12/8 and 4/4 rhythms.  Rockelle Whitaker provides a great vocal to this ambitious melody that complete the beauty of the song.  

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PLAYLIST:

1. Mosaic

2. Unknown Ballad

3. Claxilever

4. Katie’s Tune

5. Moonscape

6. Ray‑Dias

7. Still Life with Tuba

8. Sloe Gin Fizz

9. Stargazer

10. Sunday Special

PLAYERS:

• Rodney Whitaker – bass & arrangements

• Terell Stafford – trumpet & flugelhorn

• Tim Warfield – alto, tenor & soprano saxophones

• Rick Roe – piano

• Dana Hall – drums

• Rockelle Whitaker – vocals on four tracks (including lyric-writing)

• Composer – Gregg Hill

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                                                                                "Mosaic"

                                                                                "Moonscape"

"Shades of Sound:" GIl Evans Project Live at the Jazz Standard, Vol2.

 Multi‑Grammy Award–winning producer Ryan Truesdell returns with Shades of Sound: Gil Evans Project Live at Jazz Standard, Vol. 2, recorded live May 13–18, 2014 at the beloved (now-closed) Jazz Standard in New York City. On a mission to honor the essence of Gil Evans, Truesdell explains:

“Live recording captures the intangible energy… It gives listeners a sense of the magic that happens when the notes are lifted off the page by these amazing musicians.”

He’s absolutely right—the palpable vitality on this CD transports you straight into the club, enveloping you in the moment, as though the band were performing just feet away.

The album kicks off with a powerhouse rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful,” featuring muscular solos from Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), Mat Jodrell (trumpet), Dave Pietro (alto sax), and Frank Kimbrough (piano). The emotional gravity continues through “The Ballad of the Sad Young Men,” where Kimbrough's understated piano and Ryan Keberle’s trombone shape a deeply introspective scene.

Truesdell dives into rare Evan’s gems with four previously unrecorded pieces. “Laughing at Life” spotlights vocalist Wendy Gilles, supported by lyrical solos from Tom Christensen and Steve Wilson. “Neetie’s Blues” is a slow‑burn revelation—Christensen’s tenor, Kimbrough’s bluesy phrasing, and Lewis Nash’s swinging drums build a soulful meditation. Gilles gracefully returns in “I Had Someone Else Before I Had You” and “It’s the Sentimental Thing to Do,” each capturing Evans’s early-Thornhill-era vocal and orchestral flair. Finally, “Buster’s Last Stand” closes the set with energizing force: Nash sets a fierce tempo, and solos from Greg Gisbert (trumpet), McCaslin (Tenor), and a full-throttle ensemble drive the piece home.

Truesdell’s live approach honors Evans’s alchemy—his arrangements breathe, shimmer, and resonate thanks to James Farber’s Grammy-winning engineering team (with Tyler McDiarmid and Geoff Countryman)—preserving audience warmth and immediacy, a hallmark of Truesdell’s mission.

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PLAYLIST:

1. Spoonful

2. The Ballad of the Sad Young Men

3. Laughing at Life

4. Neetie’s Blues

5. I Had Someone Else Before I Had You

6. Barbara Song

7. It’s the Sentimental Thing To Do

8. Buster’s Last Stand

PLAYERS:

Conductor

• Ryan Truesdell

Woodwinds

• Steve Kenyon (flute/clarinet)

• Steve Wilson (soprano/alto sax, alto flute, clarinet)

• Dave Pietro (alto sax, flute family)

• Donny McCaslin (tenor sax, flute, clarinet)

• Scott Robinson (tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet)

• Brian Landrus (baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet)

• Tom Christensen (alto flute, oboe, English horn)

• Alden Banta (bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone sax)

French Horns

• Adam Unsworth

• David Peel

Trumpets

• Augie Haas

• Greg Gisbert

• Mat Jodrell

Trombones

• Ryan Keberle

• Marshall Gilkes

• George Flynn (bass trombone)

Tuba

• Marcus Rojas

Rhythm Section & Others

• James Chirillo (guitar)

• Frank Kimbrough (piano)

• Jay Anderson (bass)

• Lewis Nash (drums)

• Lois Martin (viola)

• Wendy Gilles (voice)
  
  

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                                                                    "Buster's Last Stand"

                                                                    "All The Sad Young Men"

CD Review: Deborah Silver, "Basie Rocks"

Vocalist Deborah Silver has just released her groundbreaking new album, Basie Rocks, a vibrant and swinging reinterpretation of some of the most iconic rock classics of the last fifty years. What makes this project truly exceptional is Silver’s bold choice to reimagine these beloved hits through the rich, brassy textures and signature rhythms of the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Scotty Barnhart.

Silver explains, “These classic rock songs are actually the soundtrack of my life. As a vocalist, I have always loved performing timeless big band arrangements, and it has been incredibly exciting to bring these two worlds together.” And she does so with elegance, flair, and a voice that is as strong and confident as it is silky and seductive.

On Basie Rocks, Deborah Silver doesn’t simply cover rock tunes—she transforms them. Each track is revitalized with swaggering horn sections, swinging rhythm, and sophisticated jazz phrasing. From high-energy anthems to tender ballads, the album is a seamless and joyful fusion of three powerhouse elements: the timeless melodies of classic rock, the infectious swing of the Count Basie Orchestra, and the luxurious voice of Deborah Silver. 

A large cast of super talented "Hall of Fame" musicians contributed to this project.  their contributions make "Basie Rocks" one of the year's best Jazz album!  The group included Peter Frampton, Kurt Elling, Steve Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Pedrito Martinez, John Clayton, Monte Croft, Trombone Shorty, Bill Frisell, George Coleman, Wycliffe Gordon, Herlin Riley and Scotty Barnhart.

I have attached two cuts from "Basie Rocks" for your listening pleasure.  The first is the Sting block buster, "Every Breath You Take" and the second is the Rolling Stone's classic "Paint It, Black" with a wonderful solo from Arturo Sandoval.

                                                                    "Every Breath You Take"

                                                                "Paint It, Black"

 PLAYLIST:

1. Paint It, Black (feat. Arturo Sandoval & Pedrito Martínez)

2. Bennie and the Jets

3. Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)

4. Tainted Love (feat. Kurt Elling, Steve Jordan & John Clayton)

5. Band on the Run

6. A Hard Day’s Night (feat. Monte Croft)

7. Joy to the World (feat. Trombone Shorty)

8. Fly Like an Eagle (feat. Bill Frisell)

9. Every Breath You Take (feat. George Coleman)

10. Old Time Rock & Roll (feat. Wycliffe Gordon & Herlin Riley)

11. Life’s Been Good (feat. Scotty Barnhart)

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PLAYERS:

• Deborah Silver – Vocals

• The Count Basie Orchestra – Full ensemble conducted by Scotty Barnhart

• Arturo Sandoval – Trumpet

• Pedrito Martínez – Percussion

• Peter Frampton – Guitar

• Kurt Elling – Vocals

• Steve Jordan – Drums & Co-producer

• John Clayton – Bass

• Monte Croft – Vibraphone

• Trombone Shorty – Trombone & Vocals

• Bill Frisell – Guitar

• George Coleman – Tenor Saxophone

• Wycliffe Gordon – Trombone & Vocals

• Herlin Riley – Drums/Washboard

• Lisa Fischer & Bernard Fowler – Background Vocals

The Count Basie Orchestra’s deep roster includes standout players such as David Glasser, Frank Greene, Clarence Banks, Glen Pearson, Will Matthews, Trevor Ware, and Robert Boone, among others—each contributing their own Basie-authentic flair to the production.

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