The variety is broad and the band itself can blow up a storm!
The compositions of Gregg Hill have found an inspired home through several recordings by revered bassist Rodney Whitaker. Intellect and feeling stand in expressive balance with Hill's concepts of form, melody and rhythmic hooks on this third album in the series. He's absorbed the lessons of his heroes but writes from his own heart and soul. Whitaker, from Detroit and again firmly entrenched in the rich Michigan jazz scene, continues to perform at the highest levels. His long-standing quintet of well acknowledged masters - pianist Bruce Barth, Terell Stafford on trumpet, Tim Warfield on sax, and drummer Dana Hall - imbue the music with stellar soloing, supple textures, exciting dynamics, and a never-ending swing. Vocalist/lyricist Rockelle Fortin again adds her lyrics and voice on four songs, including the high-octane opener, "Betty's Tune."
"Anchoring the music's phases and moods, Whitaker is a volcanic boulder..."
City Pulse
1 Betty's Tune 4:56
2 Puppets 7:34
3 Minorabilia 6:28
4 Interlude 6:07
5 Sunday Afternoon 7:24
6 The Jazzdiddy Waltz 4:46
7 S'Cool Days 8:25
8 Blues for Gregg 6:40
9 Fan-O-Gram 7:44
10 To the Well 7:18
11 Oasis 5:16
Compositions by Gregg Hill except:
(8) by Rodney Whitaker
Arranged by Rodney Whitaker
Lyrics by Rockelle Fortin (1,4,10,11)
Terell Stafford - trumpet & flugelhorn
Tim Warfield - tenor & soprano saxophones
Bruce Barth - piano
Rodney Whitaker - bass
Dana Hall - drums
Rockelle Fortin - vocals (1,4,10,11)
Gregg Hill - compositions
Produced by Gregg Hill & Rodney Whitaker
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Eric Wojahn
at Solid Sound Recording Co., Ann Arbor, Michigan
Recorded on October 29-30, 2021
Photography & design concept by Lynne Brown
Design and Layout by John Bishop
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
Detroit native Rodney Whitaker creates another songbook album of fellow Michigan man Gregg Hill on this enthusiastic album with Terell Stafford/tp-fh, Tim Warfield/ts-ss, Bruce Barth/p, Dana Hall/dr and vocalist Rockelle Fortin. Fortin holds her own on the rapid charge of "Betty's Tune" as Stafford blows out Butanes, and is fragrant with Warfield' ...
All About Jazz (Jack Bowers)
Oasis is the third time around for bassist Rodney Whitaker and music written by fellow Michigander Gregg Hill, following Common Ground (Origin 82780) and Outrospection (Origin 82819). Personnel is the same as on Common Ground (Terell Stafford, trumpet; Tim Warfield, saxophone; Bruce Barth, piano; Dana Hall, drums; Rockelle Fortin, vocals) with Hall ...
Take Effect (Tom Haugen)
The inimitable bassist Rodney Whitaker brings along Terell Stafford (trumpet/flugelhorn), Tim Warfield (tenor/soprano sax), Bruce Barth (piano), Dana Hall (bass) and Rockelle Fortin (vocals) for these songs that pay homage to Gregg Hill's rhythmic and melodic legacy with strong attention to detail.
"Betty's Tune" starts the listen with animated ...
Jazz Music Archives (Carmel de Soto)
Rodney Whitaker's "Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill," a musical canvas colored with bold strokes of intellect, sentiment, and compositional artistry. Whitaker, a beacon of jazz education and an accomplished double bassist, presents us with an inspired interpretation of Hill's compositions, offering listeners an intimate look into the heart and soul o ...
Sound in Review (Steven Miller)
Bassist Rodney Whitaker has assembled a refined quintet to present the music of composer Gregg Hill. The ensemble is Terell Stafford on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tim Warfield on tenor and soprano saxophones, Bruce Barth on piano, and Dana Hall on drums. Vocalist Rockelle Fortin also appears in four songs. Hill is a composer that has published over 14 ...