Rodney Whitaker – Common Ground: The Music Of Gregg Hill (Origin): “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.” (http://rodneywhitaker.com/biography/) He was also the bassist in Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for seven years and he has also released eight disc as a leader. Whitaker is a forceful player who can cover many shapes of jazz style. HIs players on this disc are Terrell Stafford (trumpet, flugelhorn), Tim Warfield (alto, soprano, tenor sax), Bruce Barth (piano), and Dana Hall (drums) with vocalist Rockelle Fortin on four of the eight titles. The variety is broad and the band itself can blow up a storm! Click here to listen to a song from this disc.