at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he studied with Robert Gladstone, principal bass with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. He caught the attention of jazz fans nationally in the late 1980s with the (Donald) Harrison/ (Terence) Blanchard Quintet. The exposure triggered an avalanche of opportunities. After the quintet dissolved, Whitaker joined the Terence Blanchard Quintet. He later was featured in the Roy Hargrove Quintet before his association with Marsalis and Lincoln Center — and later as a headliner in his own right. Whitaker’s musicianship has been featured on more than 100 CDs, including ��������������������������������������������������������������������������China, which aired on PBS in 2002, and Malaria and Malawi, which aired on PBS in 2010. The latter work was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music. He collaborated with drummer Carl Allen and other guest artists to create the critically acclaimed Mack Avenue albums Get Ready (2007) and Work to Do (2009), which the Washington Post described as ranging from “the soulfully intimate to the surprisingly expansive.” More recently, he served as bassist and musical director for the Mack Avenue SuperBand, a group of label all-stars who performed together at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2012 and 2013. The 2012 set was recorded and released by Mack Avenue on a CD, Live! From The 33rd Annual Detroit Jazz Festival. Whitaker’s records are still winning critical kudos. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer called his 2014 album, When We Find Ourselves Alone, “a melodic excursion with an oldschool sound.” PASSING THE TORCH Although he still spends considerable time on the road, Whitaker particularly enjoys teaching and mentoring younger players. In addition to his involvement in the arts center’s annual Jazz Intensive Week sum- �������� ���������������� �������� �������� �������������������������������� ����������- gan State — which boasts a powerhouse performing faculty and is considered to be among the nation’s top jazz degree programs — he has served on the faculties of the University of Michigan and the Julliard Institute of Jazz. Whitaker has presented master classes 16 artsLife | SUMMER 2017 at Duke University, Howard University, the University of Iowa, Lincoln Center, the New School (New York) and the Barbican Centre (London). He has led similar sessions at the Detroit International Jazz Festival as well as conferences sponsored by the International Association for Jazz Education. If all that weren’t enough, he has also worked with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to develop a jazz education department, and has conducted the organization’s Civic Jazz Orchestra. While remaining an active performer, Whitaker argues that “it’s important for those of us who possess performance skills to teach and pass down the heritage and legacy of jazz to the next generation.” Undoubtedly, the Dr. Phillips Jazz Orchestra will help pass that torch. A dozen Central Florida artists — including a preternatural 19-year-old guitarist — were tapped from auditions. Three other musicians from Michigan — colleagues of Whitaker’s — and a New York City pianist round out the lineup. Just the presence of what promises to be a crackerjack ensemble will help cement Central Florida’s international jazz bona ������������ ���������� ������������ ������������������ �������� ������������������ ������������ ���������������� ���� ���������������� �������� ������������������������ who was recently tapped as the orchestra’s assistant musical director. The group immediately gives the region “an international presence in the arts community,” he says. “A world-class jazz orches- ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ entice people to visit the arts center and experience a unique musical adventure.” �� EVENT: Ellington for Lovers, presented by the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra SHOW/DATE: June 3, 8 p.m. VENUE: Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater NOTES: The art center’s new in- ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� solo performance. TICKETS: $35 844.513.2014 • drphillipscenter.org
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