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.

The Music Man Top 3 Jazz Christmas CDs

Most people love the traditional songs of the Christmas season but after hearing your favorite songs for the tenth time in ten days, I am sure you are ready for a change. Well, the Music Man Blog has just the right medicine for your tired ears.  I have found 3 new Christmas Jazz CDs that are just terrific.

The first CD is "Noel" from Tianna Hall & Chris Cortez. Chris is president and CEO of "Blue Bamboo Music" and Tianna Hall is one of the label's star performers. The arrangements on this CD are terrific thanks to the wonderful work of Mark Piszczek who did most of the charts. There are 6 arrangements by Piszczek and 3 arrangements by Cortez. This CD is very professionally done with great arrangements that fit the fine vocals from Tianna Hall perfectly. The other supporting players are all top-notch:

Chris Cortez: Guitar, Additional Vocals                 Warren Sneed: Alto Saxophone, Flute
Anthony Sapp: Bass                                                Thomas Hulten: Trombone, Bass Trombone
Paul English: Piano                                                 Special Guests:
Tom Cummings: Vibraphone, Drums                           Joel Fulgham: Drums on "We Three Kings"
Dennis Dolson: Trumpet                                               Memo Reza: Drums on "The Angels"
Woody Witt: Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet                 Vocals: Tianna Hall

Buy this CD and you will be playing it every Christmas; it's a keeper!

                                              "In Studio" YouTube Video "We Three Kings"

The second CD is by The Manhattan Brass, "Manhattan Brass Holiday". Manhattan Brass has been around for over 20 years.  They have been known for their innovative programming, dynamic performances and a commitment to educating audiences of all ages about live music and the brass idiom.  The sounds and arrangements on this CD are new, fresh and enjoyable.  Jack Walrath did the arrangements on tracks 2,3,4,5 and 10.  Carla Bley did the arrangements on tracks 1,6,7,8,9, and 11. The six brass players performing are nothing short of brilliant. Wayne du Maine: Trumpet, Lew Soloff: Trumpet, RJ Kelley: Horn,Michael Seltzer: Trombone, David Taylor: Bass Trombone, Ann Ellsworth: Horn. This CD would make a great Christmas gift for any Brass lover!

                                             Two Tracks From The Manhattan Brass New 
                                             Holiday Album, "Manhattan Brass Holiday" on 
                                             YouTube.

The third CD Tim Warfield's "Jazzy Christmas" was reviewed by The Music Man Blog on December 30th of 2012. I received the review copy late in December 2012 and published the review after Christmas because it was too good not to let my readers know about it. Check out my blog review published on December 30th, 2012. This CD is one of the best Jazz CDs I have heard in many years. Tim's improvisation is fresh and exciting and so are the arrangements he did for 7 of the tracks on this CD.

                                           Live Performance of "Let It Snow" by By Tim Warfield
                                           and Joanna Pascale on vocal.

All or any of these CDs would make wonderful gifts for friends or family and a must in your collection of Christmas music.

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.