SOLD OUT — GRAM Goes Late: GR Noir Wine and Jazz

Internationally renowned bassist and Mack Avenue recording artist, Rodney Whitaker, currently holds the titles of Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University where he has built one of the leading jazz degree programs and performing faculty in the United States of America. He is considered one of the leading performers and teachers of the jazz double bass in the United States. Whitaker has performed and toured with over 100 legendary performing jazz artists over the past 25 years AND MORE. 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. His most recent recording ​“Oasis: The Music of Gregg Hill” on Oasis Records has topped the charts at number one.

Michael Dease is one of the world’s eminent trombonists, lending his versatile sound and signature improvisations to over 200 recordings and groups as diverse as Grammy winning artists David Sanborn, Christian McBride, Michel Camilo, and Alicia Keys. Born in Augusta, Georgia, he played Saxophone and Trumpet before choosing the Trombone at age 17. In 2001, Dease moved to New York City to become a part of the historic first class of Jazz Students at the Juilliard School, earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, and quickly established a reputation as a brilliant soloist, sideperson and band leader. Michael Dease is currently a tenured Professor of Trombone in the Jazz Studies Department at Michigan State University.

“Bujo” Kevin Jones is a percussionist, band leader, producer and educator. A native of Englewood, New Jersey, Kevin grew up in a household immersed in jazz, soul, gospel, and blues. He was drawn to the drum at the age of 10. At the age of 16 Jones joined Tanawa Drum and Dance under the leadership of Titos Sompa, Coster Massamba & Malonga Casquelourde. His studies and playing led him to a number of disparate stages which included touring and recording for 13 years with The Isley Brothers, four years with Whitney Houston, as well as Jazz greats Archie Shepp, Charles McPherson, Winard Harper and Reggie Workman.

During his career he has had the opportunity to also share the stage or recorded alongside of Hilton Ruiz, Walter Bishop Jr., Harold Vick, Grady Tate, Frank Wess, Jamil Nasser, Joey DeFrancesco, Pat Martino, Jim Rotundi, Eric Alexander, Vince Ector, Papa John DeFrancesco, Melvin Sparks, John Benitez, Mario Rivera, Bebe and Cece Winans, Jermaine Jackson, Angela Winbush, Norman Simmons, Luisito Quintero, Billy Hart, Frank Lacy, Winard Harper, Jimmy Owens, Billy Harper, Steve Turre and Bob DeVos. Kevin currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is faculty in the Jazz Studies and Percussion Areas at Michigan State University and is the Curator and Artistic Director of GRNoir Wine & Jazz.

Jordan Anderson is an up-and-coming pianist and composer based in Minneapolis who is making his mark in southeast Michigan. He is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s Jazz Studies program and worked as a student of Benny Green and Andy Milne. Jordan’s musical approach focuses on combining modern and traditional storytelling techniques through the vehicle of straight-ahead jazz. His passion and dedication to the tradition of black American music has led to performances with Charles McPherson, Irv Williams, Francisco Mela, Charlie Gabriel, Shannon Powell, Robert Hurst, and Justin Robinson.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Caleb Robinson is a multi-talented drummer who has been playing and learning the craft since the young age of three. He studied under percussion instructor/​coach John Hill who’s on the faculty at the Flint School of Performing Arts. Along with drums, Caleb also plays bass and produces music. He describes his musical style as aggressive yet dynamic which can be compared to some of his musical influences like Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Omar Hakim, and Vinnie Colaiuta. Like them, Caleb plays by the beat of his own drum, choosing to create and work with music that’s more embedded in jazz fusion and Hip-Hop; two genres that bring out the best in him.

In 2020, Caleb earned an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts & Social Sciences at Mott Community College where he also received The Outstanding Music Sophomore Year Student award. Keeping the momentum going, he frequently participated in Jazz on Wheels, a non-profit mobile concert series in his hometown of Flint. He’s currently working on his Masters Degree at Michigan State University.

Originally from Detroit, Houston Patton is one of the young up and coming Lions of a new generation of Jazz musicians. Houston started his journey emulating his father, Harry Patton, who is a Saxophonist and Pianist. With deep roots in Gospel, Houston first started playing in Church. His musical aspirations have been nurtured by both his Mother and Father as well as a host of others. He attended Hope College’s Jazz Studies program and recently switched to the University of Michigan for his undergraduate studies. He recently returned from New York where he did an internship with Brandon Ross. While he was there, he had several chances to work with famed Jazz drummer Winard Harper. He currently plays with Kevin Jones’ group ​“Tenth World” and has been doing gigs under his own name around Michigan.