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"

CD Review: Terell Stafford "BrotherLee Love"

It's time to leave the "Great American Songbook" for a while and get back to the "Great American Jazz Songbook".  I just finished listening to some straight-away Jazz from Trumpeter Terrell Stafford.  His new CD "BrotherLee Love" is a tribute to the soulful musical legacy of Philadelphia's Lee Morgan.  Stafford is not a Philadelphia native but for the past two decades he has helped past the torch to the next generation through his work as Director of Jazz and Chair of instrumental studies at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance.   According to Stafford, "This project is about how I was embraced by this city and about a Trumpet player who has always been a huge inspiration to me".  Stafford offers this for Lee Morgan, "The Trumpet was merely a vehicle to express who he was.  There was rasp, there was grit, there was personality, there was sass, exactly who he was as a person was inside of his sound and that's what I loved about it".

There are nine cuts on the album, seven were written by Lee Morgan, one "Favor" was written by Terell and the last song is a beautiful interpretation of Alex Kramer's ballet "Candy".  Terrell features his rock-star quintet of Saxophonist Tim Warfield,  Pianist Bruce Barth,  Bassist Peter Washington, and Drummer Dana Hall.  Every one of these guys is a great musical Jazz star.  To put a top on this beautiful piece of Jazz art, Terrell selected the great John Clayton produce the CD.  When you deal with the top musicians, they only surround themselves with the best and this outstanding CD proves why that is the only way to go!

This is a Jazz Trumpet performance at it highest level.

              PLAYLIST

1. "Hocus Pocus"                                       2. "Mr Kenyatta"
3. "Petty Larceny"                                      4. "Candy"
5. "Yes I Can, No You Can't"                     6. "Favor" 
7. "Stop Start"                                            8. "Carolyn"
9. "Speedball" 

I have attached a "YouTube" of Terell Stafford playing a Lee Morgan composition "Petty Larceny" with support from Tim Warfield-Tenor Sax, Bruce Barth-Piano, Peter Washington-Bass and Dana Hall-Drums.