Jae Sinnett - The Sinnett Hearings (2005)

As a recording artist, Jae Sinnett has 12 recordings out as a leader, the first of which was released in 1986 – called “Obsession.” Featured on this project were: The former director of the Count Basie Orchestra – Frank Foster playing saxophone, John Hicks, piano, Wallace Roney, trumpet, Steve Wilson, saxophone and Clarence Seay, bass. The swinging sextet release “Blue Jae” followed in 1992. “House and Sinnett” came out in 1994 and featured Cyrus Chestnut and Steve Wilson. “Listen” was released in 1997 with Jesse Davis, alto, John D’earth, trumpet, Billy Pierce, tenor saxophone, Allen Farnham and Cyrus Chestnut, piano and went to the number one slot on the Gavin Jazz radio charts in July of that year.
His fifth recording “The Better Half” was released in April 1999 featuring the sensational saxophonist Chris Potter and his current working trio with pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell. “The Better Half” made it to number 10 on the charts in June of 1999 and this recording represented a different musical direction with Jae’s writing. Following in the footsteps of “The Better Half,” “Off the Myopic Avenue” was released in 2000 – which also features the trio and special guest saxophonist Elias Haslanger. “Confluence” the seventh was released in 2003. This is the first release that solely features the trio. In 2005 the “masterpiece” “The Sinnett Hearings” was released and features some of Jae’s best writing, arranging and drumming. This is the first of his eight releases in which he wrote and arranged every composition and “The Sinnett Hearings” became the first jazz cd to debut number one on the national jazz radio charts in January of 2006! The CD is sonically beautiful and is a wonderful vehicle in showcasing the groups high-level musicianship. It is a powerful and soulful mix of thought provoking grooves and improvisation. In 2008 the explosive “It’s Telling…A Drummer’s Perspective” was released and became Jae’s most played recording on Pandora. Every song on It’s Telling is designed to feature Jae’s extraordinary drumming. It features his trio and saxophonist Steve Wilson. “This is the recording I’ve always wanted to do in showcasing what I feel is my true drumming ability. Every song is designed to feature the drums in various capacities.” Truly, a compelling piece of work. Complex, dense, introspective and visionary, “It’s Telling,” has it all and demonstrates the extraordinary musicianship of each member of the group. In 2010 Jae formed a soul/funk ensemble called House & Sinnett and released the seriously funky Old School Loyalty CD featuring outstanding vocals, horn arrangements and writing. Jae’s first live date Theatre was also released in 2010 featuring his current working trio of Thelonious Monk piano competition finalist Justin Kauflin and bassist Terry Burrell. His latest release Still Standing was produced in 2012 features the trio with both Allen Farnham and Justin playing on different tracks.
In Jae’s first performance/instructional video called “Musical Drumming Concepts” was released in 2001. “Modern Drummer” magazine rated it an “8” out of “10.” It showcases his compositions, philosophical teaching skills and drumming in various styles, meters and straight and swinging eighth note concepts. In 2009 the trios first live concert DVD Jae Sinnett Trio: Live At WHRO was released. Recorded in the TV studios of WHRO public television for Hampton Roads. Jae’s dream of having the trio perform with orchestra will be realized in July of 2014 with the Bemidji Symphony…performing Jae’s music with orchestrations done by pianist Allen Farnham. Jae is a very lyrical and intelligent composer and his music works beautifully for orchestrations. He’s written over 150 compositions. He’s also scored music for five documentaries – one of which (John Biggers: Stories of Illumination) was aired on PBS. His other professional life puts him near the beginning of his 24th year as jazz producer/host for National Public Radio affiliate, WHRV-FM, 89.5 in Norfolk, VA. Jae hosts an extremely popular jazz show called “Sinnett In Session” Monday through Thursday evenings from 9pm-1am and Sunday afternoons from 1pm-5pm. His new show is called “The R&B Chronicles” heard Friday evenings at 7pm. Both of which now can be heard On Demand.
In 1998 he was nominated for Gavin Jazz programmer of the year by his peers in the industry and is an extraordinary fundraiser. As a jazz educator, he taught jazz history, theory and percussion and directed the jazz big band and jazz combos at the Governors School for the Arts (Gifted high school students) in Norfolk for eight years. Jae has returned as adjunct drumset and jazz ensemble instructor at Christopher Newport University. He attended Norfolk State and Old Dominion Universities as a music education major. His instruments of choice are Sonor Designer and Delite Series Drums and Sabian Cymbals. Jae is a Sonor drums and Sabian cymbals endorser and a veteran clinician and educator.
Here is a listing of other artists he has performed with over the years that aren’t mentioned above. They include Branford and Ellis Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, Carol Sloane, Jon Hendricks, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Kenny Drew Jr., Fred Hersch, Mulgrew Millew, James Williams, Jack Walwrath, Makoto Ozone, JoAnne Brackeen, Andrew White, Frank Morgan and many others.
Jae’s current working trio consists of pianist Justin Kauflin. Fresh off a world tour with the great Quincy Jones Justin is quickly making a name for himself. Allen Farnham still performs with the trio occasionally. Terry Burrell is the bassist. Allen is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. He’s performed with Mel Torme, Susannah McCorkle, John Fedchock and many more and is a gifted arranger and composer. His latest release is called “Allen Farnham Meets the Rias Big Band” on Concord Records, performing his arrangements. Terry spent a couple of years with Steve Coleman and the Five Elements and has also performed with Chuck Mangione, Hilton Ruiz and more. He’s versatile and can play many jazz styles and plays both electric and acoustic bass. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond VA. The trio first performed together in 1995. Justin is a graduate of William Patterson University in New Jersey. Some major performances include: The Ella Fitzgerald Festival in Newport News Virginia -The University of Wyoming, Coe College, Iowa State University, The M’Shop in Ames, Iowa and The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head S.C. – Millersville University, Wayne State University, the Texas Jazz Festival, the Tucson Jazz Festival and Emory University in Atlanta and many more.