Nov 8, 2021
Whaling City Sound warmly thanks the knowledgeable and committed readers of DOWNBEAT Magazine for the honor of making our label #5 on the list of esteemed jazz labels for the year 2020-21. While some deride polls as “popularity contests,” all of us at Whaling City Sound have no problem being considered near the top of those organizations who bring jazz to you on a regular basis.
We are also thankful that many of the artists featured on our releases in recent years, either as leaders, co-leaders, or side-persons, have been recognized by Downbeat readers. Congratulations to those who have achieved this well-earned recognition. If we left anyone out of the list below, we apologize, and again, thank you for listening and voting. Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to know more about which releases include any particular musicians. ~Neal Weiss, President.
Hall of Fame: Kenny Barron #2
Jazz Artist: Christian McBride: #2, Kenny Barron: #7, Teri Lyne Carrington
Trumpet: Ingrid Jensen
Trombone: Steve Davis
Soprano sax: David Liebman #2,
Alto sax: Greg Abate: #2
Tenor Sax: Gerry Bergonzi
Flute: Ted Nash, David Liebman
Piano: Chick Corea, #1, Kenny Barron, #3
Keyboard: Mark Cary
Organ: Joey DeFrancesco, #1: Larry Goldings, #3
Guitar: Russell Malone
Bass: Ron Carter, #2: John Patitucci, Linda May Han Oh, Dezron Douglas
Drums: Teri Lyne Carrington, #3: Joe Farnsworth; Johnathan Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts
Composer: Chick Corea, #2
Dec 13, 2017
“Your Sound”
Whaling City Sound WCS 105
Facebook: Jay Rodriguez Music
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
a life in music HD
“All of You” from Your Sound Live from Dizzy’s
SoundCloud: Jay Rodriguez 3
Website: Jay Rodriguez Music
EPK
Photo: #1(B&W),#2 (color, vertical shot),#3 (B&W, flute)
Press Release: From Suzi Reynolds, from Whaling City Sound
Publicity: Digital Journal, Improvijazzation Nation, Midwest Record, Jazz-Quad, New York Times ,Hamptons. to be featured in May’s JAZZIZ Magazine, JazzWeek
Kim Smith PR Email: ksmithpr@earthlink.net Phone: 917-349-8090
Management: Suzi Reynolds Associates Email: suzi@suzireynolds.com Phone: 201-947-0961
Radio: New World ‘n’ Jazz
19 weeks total
14 weeks on the charts
4 weeks top 20
Peak position #9
Buy:
Mixed Media Client since: 2018
back to client list
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You might hear Jay Rodriguez and wonder, “Is there anything you can’t do?” The fact is, it might be tough to track down something along Jay’s musical continuum that he hasn’t done. A versatile bandleader, with flute, clarinet and saxophone chops, the Colombia-born, New York City-bred musician is profoundly talented and incredibly prolific. Since graduating from the New York School of Performing Arts and attending the New School of Jazz at its inception alongside Larry Goldings, Brad Mehldau and Roy Hargrove. He has had musical adventures in salsa with Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Paquito D’Rivera, pop/hip-hop with Prince, Guru, the Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Premier and Groove Collective, straight-ahead with Doc Cheatham, Mingus Big Band, David Murray, Craig Harris, Jason Miles and Miles Davis. He has played alongside Joe Lovano, Gil Evans, Elvis Costello, Stevie Wonder, Bernie Worrell and Joan Osborne, to name a few. His original work is daring, groovy, breathtaking and soulful, sometimes all at once. His new recording, Your Sound: Live at Dizzy’s Club, captures all of lovely rawness in real time. Accompanied by Billy Harper on tenor sax, Larry Willis on piano. Eric Wheeler on bass, JT Lewis on drums and percussionist Billy Martin, Rodriguez frees himself up to showcase his work on saxes, flutes, and bass clarinet. The result is magical. Over his career, Rodriguez has tackled composition, arranging, accompanying, and leading. It is high time for the world to hear all the wonderful things Jay Rodriguez—musician, personality, iconoclast, and innovator—has to offer.
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WBGO News Monday 2/19 to plug Jay Rodriguez’s album release with a track for Nate Chinen’s Take Five! Confirmed!
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Jay Rodriguez will be featured in the “Keeping Live Jazz Alive” benefit taking place at the Southampton Arts Center on February 3 at 6pm.
Mar 8, 2017
Guitarist John Stein’s Color Tones can be thought of as modern cool jazz. His quietly inventive playing at times recalls Jim Hall although he has his own musical personality. Trumpeter Phil Grenadier’s tone is not that far from Chet Baker’s. Fernando Brandao on flute, alto flute and bass flute is a very fluent soloist who adds a great deal to the color of the ensembles. Bassist John Lockwood and drummer Ze Eduardo Nazario swing hard but at a low volume. Every musician makes perfect use of space and every note counts.
But beyond the musicianship and the fine playing are the compositions. John Stein contributed all but one of the 11 selections (a faster-than-usual version of “Angel Eyes”). A fine songwriter, Stein’s tunes have excellent melodies, set moods, employ catchy basslines and rhythms, and inspire the musicians. “The Commons” could easily become a standard in the future, “New Shoes” is likable and playful, “Five Weeks” is a medium tempo blues and “Jo Ann” is a warm ballad. Even the heated and fairly free “Neck Road” has a relaxed feel to it. Adi Yeshaya’s arrangements for three of the pieces add harmonies to the themes and set up the solos well.
John Stein’s
Color Tones is melodic, concise (none of the pieces exceed
6:14 in length) and quite enjoyable. This fine example of cool jazz for the 21st century is easily recommended and available from
www.whalingcitysound.com.Scott Yanow
Color Tones is available for purchase
here.
Feb 6, 2017
On January 27th, Midwest Record reviewed John Stein’s newest album Color Tones as follows:
“WHALING CITY SOUND
JOHN STEIN/Color Tones: It’s not daddio jazz but it’s right in the pocket of the classic jazzbo sessions that caught your attention back in the day before you were even sure just what it was that was hitting you. With a crew right in step with the guitarist leading the way, this is on point beautiful playing that you just want to sink back into. Snazzy stuff that grabs you ear and doesn’t let go. Well done throughout.”
View the full review here.
Click here for more information.
Music industry consultant and publicist Ginny Shea has garnered international exposure for her clients through radio and video promotion, print media, and her vast industry network.
