PRESENTED AS PART OF THE ALLUVION JAZZ SERIES
GET THE FULL 12-SHOW PACKAGE
Doors & bar at 7 - Music at 7:30 - $30 in advance - $35 at the door - Seated listening room show
Internationally renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker will take the stage at The Alluvion with a spectacular seven-piece ensemble that is sure to explode with inspiring, moving sounds, and will feature his daughters Rockelle Whitaker on vocals and Sarah Whitaker on drums!
THE BAND:
Rodney Whitaker on upright bass, Rockelle Whitaker on vocals, Sarah Whitaker on drums, Walter Blanding on saxophone, Michael Dease on trombone, Randy Napolean on guitar, & Brendon Davis on Piano. Learn more about them below.
THE JAZZ SERIES PACKAGE
Ready for a whole year of unforgettable jazz? Purchase a ticket for the full 2024-25 season of The Alluvion Jazz Series for only $300 — that’s twelve shows for the price of ten! Plus early access to each show to pick out your favorite seat before doors open and a free Alluvion T-shirt for each package purchased.
Rodney Whitaker on the bass & Rockelle Whitaker on vocals, with a full band
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About the artists:
RODNEY WHITAKER - BASS
Internationally renowned bassist and Mack Avenue recording artist, Rodney Whitaker, currently holds the titles of Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University where he has built one of the leading jazz degree programs and performing faculty in the United States of America. He is considered one of the leading performers and teachers of the jazz double bass in the United States. Whitaker has performed and toured with over 100+ legendary performing jazz artists over the past 25+ years. Featured on more than 100+ recordings - from film to compact discs - Whitaker’s film scores, China, directed by Jeff Wray, was released on PBS Fall 2002 and Malaria and Malawi, released on PBS Fall 2010. Also, Whitaker has a DVD release featuring Michigan State University’s Jazz Department entitled, “Inside Jazz” and three new compact discs entitled, “Get Ready” & “Work To Do”—both on Mack Avenue Records and “Better Than Alright” by Michigan State University College of Music.
Read more on his website
ROCKELLE WHITAKER - VOCALS
Visionary vocalist, Rockelle Whitaker, immersed since infancy in the music mecca known as Motown and the daughter of world renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker, has Jazz deeply entrenched in her lineage, heart, and soul. At the age of 3, she embraced fell in love and became enchanted with the luminous idea that one day she would become a soul singing sister.
Read more on Origin Records’ website
WALTER BLANDING - SAXOPHONE
For the past three decades as a music educator, performing artist, and composer, Walter has been bringing joy through music to people across the globe, from New York to China and everywhere in between. His career includes performances and recordings with some of the great artists of our times: Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, Count Basie Orchestra, Cab Calloway, Branford Marsalis, Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Roy Hargrove, Tony Bennet, New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Paris Radio Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and many others.
Read more on the MSU College of Music website
MICHAEL DEASE - TROMBONE
Michael Dease is one of the world’s eminent trombonists, lending his versatile sound and signature improvisations to over 200 recordings and groups as diverse as Grammy-winning artists David Sunburn, Christian McBride, Michel Camilo, & Alicia Keys. Born in Augusta, GA, he played the saxophone and trumpet before choosing the trombone at age 17. In 2001, Dease moved to NYC to become part of the historic first class of Jazz students at the Juilliard School, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees, and quickly established a reputation as a brilliant soloist, sideperson, and bandleader.
Read more on his website
RANDY NAPOLEON - GUITAR
Known as a forward-thinking musician with a passion for the jazz tradition, guitarist Randy Napoleon is an Associate Professor at Michigan State University. He is currently touring as a leader after twenty years of road apprenticeship with some of the most celebrated musicians and groups of our time.
Napoleon cut his teeth touring with pianist Benny Green, The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Michael Buble, and a thirteen year tenure with Freddy Cole. He has also performed with artists across the jazz spectrum such as Bill Charlap, Natalie Cole, Monty Alexander, Rodney Whitaker and John Pizzarelli.
Read more on his website
BRENDON DAVIS - PIANO
A “rising star” , Brendon Davis is an emerging pianist, composer, and producer.
Learn more at his linktree