(Hard Bop, Post-Bop, Bebop, Contemporary Jazz) [WEB] Jae Sinnett - The Sinnett Hearings - 2005, FLAC (tracks), lossless

About Jae
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.

Earbuzz.com announces Jae Sinnett Jazz Artist Of the Year for 2006 and “The Sinnett Hearings” – Jazz Recording Of The Year 2006.”
“The Sinnett Hearings debuts at Number one on the national Jazzweek radio chart January 31st 2006!!! A first for a new release in jazz radio!”
Testimonials:
“Wow! What a great recording! Quite an accomplishment! The writing is serious with excellent arranging and Jae’s playing is absolutely terrific. Great sound, feel, and solos. Following in the footsteps of drummer, composer, bandleaders like Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette, Jae Sinnett’s “The Sinnett Hearings” is a relevant statement on what’s happening TODAY in acoustic modern jazz. ”
— Steve Smith
“This is one of the finest straight-ahead compositional collections we’ve heard.”
— earbuzz.com
“Five stars! A must have CD.”
— cdbaby.com
“Jae Sinnett established his credentials long ago as a first-rate swinging player and prolific composer. The inventive drummer-composer showcases his rhythmically ingenious facility on a new set of originals that run the stylistic gamut from buoyant Brazilian numbers (“Heading South”) to funky backbeat-fueled boogaloos (“Third Potato”) and catchy, pop-fueled modal vehicles like “Bedrock.” Sinnett reveals a towering influence on his dynamic Tony Williams-inspired opener “Palpitations,” which shifts nimbly back and forth from six seven. Easily his strongest and most satisfying outing to date.”
— JazzTimes Magazine
“Only my favorite record of the year! For more than a month “The Sinnett Hearings” has traveled with me as sole occupant in my walkman. This is masterful and it gives me a zillion ideas. I’m playing everything in seven these days because I’m listening to this CD.”
— Award winning composer, Jon Weber
“The strength of this album lies in its potent melodies, harmonies and engrossing grooves. “The Sinnett Hearings” has all the makings of a classic.”
— Hampton Roads Magazine
“This is one of the most refreshing releases I have heard in a long time. This is a winner!
No package like this anywhere presently.”
— Ahmad Jamal
“Sinnett’s playing is full of smart shifting syncopation and deft punctuation; it’s interesting to listen to his nonstop inventions when he is playing in support. The music — all Sinnett originals — alternates between the soulfully lush and angularly melodic. It has the curious charm of being simultaneously unpredictable and strangely familiar. “Hearings” is intelligent, uncompromising jazz with mainstream appeal.”
— Style Weekly
Source: http://www.jaesinnett.com/the-sinnett-hearings/

July / August 2006
Jae Sinnett
The Sinnett Hearings
J-Nett
By Bill Milkowski
The Virginia-based drummer and bandleader established his credentials long ago as a first-rate, swinging player and prolific composer. On his eighth outing as a leader, Sinnett is joined by first-rate improvisers and longtime associates John D’earth on trumpet and Steve Wilson on alto sax, along with his working trio of pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell.
The inventive drummer-composer showcases his rhythmically ingenious facility on a new set of originals that run the stylistic gamut from buoyant Brazilian numbers (“Heading South”) to funky backbeat-fueled boogaloos (“Third Potato”) and catchy, pop-infused modal vehicles (“Bedrock”). Sinnett reveals a towering influence on his dynamic, Tony Williams-inspired opener “Palpitations,” which shifts nimbly back and forth from six to seven and is marked by Sinnett’s deft punctuations on the kit.
“First Impression” introduces the 19-year-old piano talent Justin Kauflin, whose cascading keyboard work energizes the track. Wilson, whose collaborations with Sinnett go back 20 years to 1986’s Obsession, switches from alto to soprano sax on “Bedrock” and the brisk, harmonically challenging closer, “Stick Figure.” And Sinnett presents a moving elegy for the late Elvin Jones in his dramatic 11-minute centerpiece, “What Elvin Left.” This is easily Sinnett’s strongest and most satisfying outing to date.

Review by Scott Yanow
The Sinnett Hearings is most notable for drummer Jae Sinnett's compositions, which combine the feel of hard bop with unusual rhythmic accents, and the solos of Steve Wilson on alto and soprano. The set includes two piano trio pieces (with Justin Kaulfin making his one appearance on "First Impression"), a pair of quartet numbers with Wilson, and five quintet performances that include trumpeter John D'earth. Steve Wilson may be the most consistently impressive soloist on the date (he has emerged as one of the underrated greats), but it is Sinnett's new and mostly complex songs that give this CD its own personality. Well worth exploring.

"The Sinnett Hearings" became the first jazz recording to debut at number one on the national Jazzweek radio charts - January 2006... It features jazz compositions that are different in groove and texture and played with soulful, modern and thought provoke.

Jae Sinnett - Drums, Arranger, Composer, Cover Design, Liner Notes, Primary Artist, Producer
Terry Burrell - Bass (Acoustic), Bass (Electric)
John D'earth - Trumpet
Bob Dawson - Engineer
Allen Farnham - Fender Rhodes, Piano
Anne Peterson - Photography
Rob Ulsh - Mastering, Mixing
Steve Wilson - Alto Sax
Justin Kauflin - Piano