Jae Sinnett

Jae Sinnett has 8 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. �The Sinnett Hearings� is the latest and features some of Jae�s best writing, arranging and drumming. This is the first of his eight releases where he wrote and arranged every composition. The CD is sonically beautiful and is a wonderful vehicle to showcase high-level musicianship. It is a powerful and soulful mix of thought provoking grooves and improvisation.

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. A very lyrical and intelligent composer, he's written over 100 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 15th year as jazz producer/host for National Public Radio affiliate, WHRV-FM in Norfolk, VA. Jae hosts an extremely popular jazz show and produces programs for broadcast. 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 was also adjunct percussion instructor at Christopher Newport University for two years, teaching mainly drum-set. 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.

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 Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell. 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 and has been together as a working group since. Some of the most recent 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.