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: James Zito, "Zito's Jump"

Guitarist and composer James Zito makes a powerful and compelling debut as a bandleader with "Zito’s Jump",  a richly conceived album that showcases not only his exceptional guitar skills but also his remarkable gifts as a composer and arranger. At just 28 years old,  Zito demonstrates a depth of musicality and maturity that belies his age, drawing clear inspiration from jazz legends Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, and George Benson—yet bringing his own fresh voice to the genre with confidence and finesse.

The album is a well-crafted journey through twelve tracks, seamlessly blending six Zito originals with six timeless jazz standards. The interplay between the new and the familiar is so fluid that it becomes difficult to distinguish where tradition ends and innovation begins. Zito’s original compositions—such as the title track "Zito’s Jump", the breezy "Island Girl", and the beautifully lyrical "Pense Nisso" (“Think About It”) in Portuguese)—stand shoulder to shoulder with standards like "The Nearness of You", " and the upbeat classic "After You’ve Gone".

"After You’ve Gone" is given a spirited and modern reading, brimming with swing and personality. In contrast, "Pense Nisso" reveals Zito’s more introspective side—a melodic and harmonically rich composition that lingers long after the final chord fades. These two selections alone offer a glimpse into Zito’s range, from exhilarating virtuosity to poignant lyricism.

Zito’s band on this album is nothing short of stellar. Featuring jazz luminaries such as drummer Joe Farnsworth and bassist Rodney Whitaker, as well as a dynamic lineup of emerging talents including Luther Allison on piano and Chris Lewis on tenor sax and flute, the ensemble brings Zito’s vision vividly to life. Vocalists Georgia Heers and Tyreek Mcdole add further texture and soul to the project, while the horn section—including Nicholas DiMaria (trumpet), Joseph Miller (alto sax), Jack Kotze (trombone), and Jarien Jamanila (baritone sax)—adds depth and swing in all the right places.

A New York City native, Zito has already graced the stages of top-tier jazz venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Birdland, The Django, and The Blue Note. His recent completion of Juilliard’s prestigious Artist Diploma program adds another layer of credibility to his rapidly rising career.

"Zito’s Jump" is a confident and exciting debut—one that not only honors jazz tradition but also pushes it forward. James Zito is clearly an artist to watch, and this album is a strong indication that his voice will be an influential one in the next generation of jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed this recording and eagerly await what Zito will share with us next.

I have attached two songs from the album, the first is an up-tempo version of the classic evergreen, "After You Have Gone" and the second is a beautiful Zito original composition entitled,  "Pense Nisso"  that means "Think About It" in Portuguese.                                             

                                                                    "After You've Gone"

                                                                        "Pense Nisso"

PLAYERS:

James Zito- Guitar, Compositions, Arrangements

Joe Farnsworth- Drums

Rodney Whitaker- Bass

Luther Allison- Piano

Chris Lewis- Tenor Sax, Flute

Georgia Heers- Vocalist

Tyreek Mcdole- Vocalist

Nicholas DiMaria- Trumpet

Joseph Miller- Alto Sax

Jack Kotze- Trombone

Jarien Jamanila- Baritone Sax

Playlist:

1. Zito's Jump

2. Bird In The Wind

3. Island Girl

4. Time Zone

5. Ready 'N Able

6. Pense Nisso

7. Minor Lies

8. The Nearness Of You

9. The End Off a Love Affair

10 After You've Gone

11. It Could Happen To You

12. After You've Gone (Alternate Take)

CD Review: Tim Warfield's "Jazzy Christmas"

I know Christmas is over, and you are probably sick of hearing the same Christmas music all month long, but I have just listened to the best Christmas Jazz album that I have heard in a long, long time.  The CD is from Tim Warfield and titled "Jazzy Christmas" and it is simply great jazz.  It is so good that I bet after hearing it for the first time, you will be tempted to play it again many times throughout the coming New Year.  The CD was released on December 2, 2013 but due to a mail problem, I did not get a chance to listen to it until the day before Christmas.

This is my first experience with Tim Warfield who plays Tenor and Soprano Saxophones but even after only one play of this CD, I wanted to check out other CDs that he made. Just love his sound and his creative approach to these traditional Christmas songs. Tim's improvisation is fresh and exciting and fits perfectly with the many varied rhythmic tempos he uses. Tim also did all the fine arrangements for all of the songs except two. Here is a list of the songs on the CD:

1. Santa Clause is Coming to Town                    6. Oh Christmas Tree
2. Let it Snow                                                      7. Silent Night
3. Joy to the World                                              8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
4. Little Drummer Boy                                        9. Snowfall
5. Caroling Caroling                                          10. The Dreidel Song

Featured on this CD is Terell Stafford on Trumpet, Stefon Harris on Vibraphone, Cyrus Chestnut on Piano, Rodney Whitaker on Bass, Clarence Penn on Drums, Daniel Sadownick on Percussion. Neil Podgurski is on piano for tracks 1,3,8, and 10. Joanna Pascale provided lovely vocals on tracks 2,5, and 7 and Jamie Davie provided vocals on track 6.  A remarkably talented group of supporting musicians!

This CD would make a great New Year's gift for any jazz lover!

Tim Warfield resume is quite interesting.  He has won many awards and his 2010 CD "A Sentimental Journey" on the Criss Cross Jazz label was selected as a "Critic's Choice" in the New York Times, by Ben Ratliff. He is currently serving as a board member as well as committee chairman for the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. Tim also serves as "artist-in-residence" at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa and recently joined the adjunct faculty at Temple University Music Department, in Philadelphia, Pa.

Congratulations Tim on this fine Christmas Jazz CD. I don't know if there is a Grammy category for Christmas Jazz CDs, but if there is, Tim Warfield's CD should get a nomination.