The Rodney whitaker sextet
with Vocalist Rockelle Fortin
The Blues Are Brewing
Friday, March 11th @ 8:00 PM
COVID-19 Safety Policy for Indoor Concerts
- Moving forward, all patrons and artists who wish to attend or present performances indoors at KCH must provide a valid, complete COVID-19 vaccination card OR proof of a negative COVID-19 test performed by a third party within the previous 72 hours prior to entry. Such proof must be presented at concert check-in, may be displayed on a smartphone OR presented as a physical copy, and must also be accompanied by a matching, valid ID for verification.**
- Additionally, according to current CDC recommendations, masks are required for audiences inside the House and can only be removed when seated with a beverage (when available). When performing, artists may wear a mask, or not, at their own discretion.
**Proof of vaccination exceptions will be made for children under 5. These guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours prior to entry.
Internationally renowned bassist and Mack Avenue recording artist, Rodney Whitaker is one of the world’s renowned double bass performers, educators, mentors and is dedicated to inspiring and growing the next generation of jazz educators and musicians. A Detroit native, he grew up in the city soaking in the sounds of jazz and classical music and working with the finest musicians in the city. Building on his Detroit roots and enormous talent, Whitaker went on to earn an international reputation as one of the world’s finest jazz double bass performers. He completed a seven-year tenure as bassist with the Wynton Marsalis’ Sextet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has toured the world over the last twenty-six years, collaborating with over 100+ legendary performing jazz artists such as Dianne Reeves, Hank Jones, Mulgrew Miller, Junko Onishi, Yutaka Shiina, Kenny Burrell, Diana Krall, John Lewis, Kathleen Battle, Marian McPartland, Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Garrett, Bradford Marsalis, Bob James, Roy Hargrove, Jon Carl Hendricks, Tommy Flanagan, Frank Morgan, Terence Blanchard, Betty “Be-Bop” Carter, Chick Corea, and leading symphony orchestras across the world—just to name a few. In addition, he has appeared and presented master classes at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) conferences. 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. In 2011, he was nominated for an EMMY for the ‘Original Music’ category, “Malawi and Malaria: Fighting to Save the Children” produced by Robert Gould and Sue Carter. Whitaker collaborated with musicians Phil Dwyer and Alan Jones on “Let Me Tell You About My Day,” produced by Alma Records and was nominated for a Juno Award in 2006 for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year, Canada’s equivalent to the United State of America’s Grammy. He is a full professor of jazz double bass and director of jazz studies at Michigan State University where he has built one of the leading jazz degree granting programs offering both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Jazz Performance.
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. Rockelle attended Michigan State University Jazz Studies program and performed with world renowned Jazz Orchestra I. To broaden her musical artistic expressions and develop vocal facility, Ms. Whitaker became a lead member of a church choir song and praise team. While rooted in gospel, blues and jazz, Ms. Whitaker expanded her talents and has recently instituted a song writing business for Jazz, R&B, and Alternative Music artists. Performing at several festivals nationally and internationally such as, Detroit Jazz Festival, Taichung Jazz Festival, Czech Jazz Festival, Cotton Club-Japan as well as national premier jazz clubs including Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, The Dirty Dog Jazz Café, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola she has collaborated with artists such as: Greg Hutchinson, Antonio Hart, Wycliffe Gordon, Terrell Stafford, Bruce Barth, Randy Gillespie, Wes “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Rick Roe, Marcus Printup, Carl Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Chris Crenshaw, Victor Goines, Diego Rivera, Cyrus Chestnut, Rodney Green, and a host of other musicians. Ms. Whitaker conducts Master classes, participates in Jazz @ Lincoln Center Jazz for Young People School shows, vocal workshops, and large private vocal studio. Rockelle is most recently featured on several recording projects with Rodney Whitaker. While she can set the mood with a lush ballad or rock the house with a bebop or blues tune; her versatility, power and soulfulness showcases her passion for the craft, vocal range, the ability to transcend through any genre, and her signature sound.
Sarah Whitaker was first informed by her current professor, Randy Gelispie, that, “If you can dance, you can play the drums,” at the age of nine. This was good news. Dancing was her favorite pastime, as she participated in Cheer teams and in creating dance routines with her sisters. Sarah was born in Highland Park, Michigan, but raised in East Lansing, MI. Her father and mother played a seminal role in her immersion into Jazz and all styles of music since conception. Sarah has studied with Kevin Jones, Gwendolyn Dease, and Jon Weber. Due to this musical upbringing, she began training as a classical percussionist in the fifth grade in her school’s band program and continued to train as such up until her Junior year of college where she decided it was time to come home and switch her major to a BA in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, where she is currently attending. Her current predominant influences on the drum set include Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Vernel Fournier, Jimmy Cobb, Ed Thigpen, Billy Higgins, Louis Hayes, Stix Hooper, Bernard Purdie, Billy Hart, Sylvia Cuenca, Tony Williams, Harvey Mason, Jeff Hamilton, Herlin Riley, Lewis Nash, Kenny Washington, Cindy Blackman, Billy Drummond, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Carl Allen, Ralph Peterson, Jr., Terri Lyne Carrington, Clarence Penn, Dana Hall, Brian Blade, Gregory Hutchinson, Karriem Riggins, Quincy Davis to name just a few. She is also an aspiring jazz vocalist, pianist, and vibraphonist.
Innovative baritone saxophonist, Len’I Glenn-McKinney is an American composer, educator, and arranger born in Harvey, IL. Ms. Glenn-McKinney received her Bachelors in Music majoring in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University under the direction of the internationally renowned jazz bassist Rodney Whitaker. As a member of the Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra I, she has performed with numerous legendary jazz artists such as Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Antonio Hart, Jeff Tain Watts, John Clayton, and many others. During graduate school, Len’I was a two-time featured artist in the nationally renowned Midwest Band Clinic. She has become a featured artist and sideman in all genres of music including artists such as Fantasia, Jenifer Hudson, TINK, Jeff Bradshaw, Marqueal Jordan, Miki Howard, just to name a few. Currently, Len’I is an independent recording artist with a recent release of her debut single “Lean on Me” in 2020. She is the baritone saxophonist for the Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center, Gathering Jazz orchestra, Clif Wallace Big Band, and Rodney Whitaker’s Group. Len’I leads a touring band for the 1980’s star and vocalist Miki Howard.
Hailing from Miami, Florida, Blackmon began his musical journey by picking up the trumpet at the age of 11. Welcomed into the thriving music community of South Florida, Blackmon began performing locally while attending Dillard School of the Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, FL under the direction of famed jazz educator, Christopher Dorsey. Blackmon continued his studies by enrolling into the Jazz Studies program at The Florida State University College of Music in Tallahassee, FL. While completing a B.A in Music (2013) from FSU, Blackmon began his relationship with band leader/mentor Marcus Roberts, “The Genius Of Modern Jazz Piano”. Upon graduation, Blackmon began his professional performance and educational career with Roberts and his multi-generational group, The Modern Jazz Generation. Through the engagements of this ensemble, Blackmon has had the privilege of travel and performance throughout the United States & Europe with The Modern Jazz Generation. (MJG) After settling briefly in New Orleans, LA Blackmon received a gracious invitation to start his graduate work at Michigan State University under the tutelage of trumpeter, Etienne Charles and Distinguished Professor of Jazz Studies, Rodney Whitaker. Blackmon earned his M.M in Jazz Studies (2019) and currently holds a position as Assistant Jazz Coordinator, Special Lecturer, and Applied Instructor of Jazz Trumpet at Oakland University, north of the Detroit metropolitan area.
Hailed by International Trombone Journal as someone who’s “warm sound, beautiful phrasing, and ability to perform in various styles convincingly sets him apart as a truly exceptional musician”, Chris Glassman is a rising star jazz performer on bass trombone, and Michigan based musician. He has performed and/or recorded with legendary musicians The Temptations, The Four Tops, Sarah McLachlan, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Rene Marie, Wayne Bergeron, Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr., and Etienne Charles among others. Currently, he serves as the Arts Entrepreneurship and Career Education Coordinator at Michigan State University, as well as being on faculty at Brevard Music Center and the Michigan State University Community Music School. He received his Bachelor’s in Classical Trombone Performance from the University of Denver. He went on to a Teaching Assistantship and Master’s in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University with legendary pedagogues Michael Dease and Rodney Whitaker. Between 2017-2019, during his Master’s, Chris was a finalist or won every international competition for jazz trombone in the United States. The competitions includes the Curtis Fuller International Trombone Competition, International Trombone Festival’s Carl Fontana, JJ Johnson, and Kai Winding Competitions, the American Trombone Workshop Jazz Trombone Competition, and the UNT Jazz Trombone Day Competition. He was also a finalist for the U.S. Army Blues Bass Trombone audition in 2017. He has given masterclasses at the University of North Texas, Ohio State University, Mary Hardin-Baylor University, and for Wisconsin All-State Jazz. His two releases with his co-led ensemble, the Sencalar/Glassman Quintet, has received high acclaim from magazines like Stereophile Magazine, The International Trombone Journal, and Outside in Music. In addition, he is a featured sideman on recordings by Rodney Whitaker, Ulysses Owens Jr., and Walter White.
Composer-pianist-educator Bijan Taghavi, from California, performs and teaches in New York and Michigan. As a leader, the Bijan Taghavi Trio toured Japan in December 2018, including performances at Urayasu Concert Hall in Chiba, Live House ENN in Sendai, Live House ROXX in Aamori, and Nogata Kumin Hall in Tokyo. Bijan also leads a Duo Series at the National Arts Club in NYC, where he has performed concerts with Dick Oatts, Rich Perry, Jay Anderson, Ulysses Owens Jr., Roxy Coss, Giveton Gelin, and Kiyoshi Kitagawa. As a collaborator, Bijan has worked with Rodney Whitaker, Randy Napoleon, Ron Carter, Stefon Harris, and performed Coltrane’s A Love Supreme with Joe Lovano at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Bijan has also performed at venues such as: Blue Note Amsterdam, Beacon Theatre, 55 Bar, Apollo Theatre and Minton’s Playhouse Harlem. A sought-after composer and arranger, Bijan has written works for studio orchestra, big band, string quartet, and performed his original music at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Residency. Alongside a busy performing career, Bijan is an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Piano at Hillsdale College. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bijan launched his unique Personalized Video Correspondence Lessons and was a guest panelist for “Hearin’ The Changes”, Luther Hughes’ weekly masterclass at California State University, Fullerton. Bijan has taught classes in Beginning Improvisation and Advanced Musicianship at Michigan State University and is also an educator for JazzPianoSchool.com. Classically-trained under the mentorship of Robert Estrin, Bijan studied the monumental classical piano works and performed as a soloist with the South Coast Symphony. A recipient of the Presser Foundation Scholarship, Bijan is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and Michigan State University and has studied with Phil Markowitz, Fred Hersch, and Xavier Davis.
