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Jae Sinnett

Jae Sinnett is a musical visionary and a man of extraordinary talent. He is a consummate drummer, composer, and band leader who has produced 14 recordings – the first of which was released in 1986. His most recent recording – Zero to 60 – was released in February 2016.

Jae has written over 250 compositions. He has also scored music for five documentaries – one of which (John Biggers: Stories of Illumination) was aired on PBS. Jae’s dream of having his trio perform with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra was realized on Oct. 10, 2014. The performance was met with outstanding reviews.

Jae’s other professional life places him as approaching his 27th year as jazz producer/host for NPR affiliate WHRV-FM 89.5 in Norfolk, VA. Jae hosts the popular jazz show Sinnett in Session Monday through Thursday evenings from 9 pm to 1 am and Sunday afternoons from 1-5 pm. He also hosts The R&B Chronicles, heard Friday evenings at 7 pm. Both shows can be heard on demand.

Jae is a prolific fundraiser for his commercial-free radio station. In 1998, he was nominated for the Gavin Jazz Programmer of the Year award by his peers in the industry. As a jazz educator, Jae taught history, theory and percussion at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA for eight years. He also directed the GSA Big Band and Jazz Combos. He was an adjunct drum set and jazz ensemble instructor at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. Jae 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. He is a veteran clinician and educator.

Jae’s quartet for Zero to 60 consists of saxophonist Ralph Bowen, bassist Terry Burrell, and pianist Allen Farnham.

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34
Album Review

Jae Sinnett's Zero to 60 Quartet: Commitment

Read "Commitment" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Commitment, drummer Jae Sinnett's nineteenth album as leader, is a generally admirable session wherein his Zero to 60 Quartet is in fact a Quintet on most numbers thanks to the inclusion of renowned trumpeter Randy Brecker who shares the front line with veteran saxophonist Steve Wilson. The quintet comes out smokin' on Sinnett's “Takin' It There" and pianist Allen Farnham's “Wait for Me," after which Sinnett chooses to slow the tempo and lower the heat, not raising ...

1
In Pictures

Jae Sinnett Quartet at WHRO Studios

Read "Jae Sinnett Quartet at WHRO Studios" reviewed by Mark Robbins


WHRO is the home of public radio and television in the jny:Norfolk and environs area. As a way of thanking their donors this past year Jae Sinnett and company Terry Burrell, Allen Farnham, Steve Wilson and Randy Brecker performed a Christmas concert for around 100 patrons in the WHRO studios which was recorded and will be released as a holiday special later this year. This group has been performing together for a while and will be releasing an album in ...

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Album Review

Jae Sinnett: Zero To 60

Read "Zero To 60" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The title of this record is something of a double entendre, referencing both the arrival of a milestone birthday for drummer-composer Jae Sinnett and the specific decade that helped influence his outlook on music, art, and life in general. But don't let that information fool you. This isn't some nostalgia-filled date with flower power filigree. This is modern jazz that sells itself through the marriage of sophistication and accessibility. And while those two might seem like strange bedfellows, they shouldn't. ...

173
Album Review

Jae Sinnett: It's Telling...A Drummer's Perspective

Read "It's Telling...A Drummer's Perspective" reviewed by John Barron


It's Telling...A Drummer's Perspective is the brain-child of powerhouse drummer/composer Jae Sinnett. The disc features eight original pieces for quartet, composed by the veteran drummer, ranging in style from hard-hitting fusion to straight-ahead bebop. The music is challenging, yet saxophonist Steve Wilson, pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell, all long-time Sinnett collaborators, perform flawlessly through the intricacies of odd-meters and acrobatic song structures.

As the title suggests, this is a drummer's record. Sinnett is not shy about putting himself ...

170
Album Review

Jae Sinnett: Off The Myopic Avenue

Read "Off The Myopic Avenue" reviewed by Todd S. Jenkins


Master drummer Jae Sinnett strikes more gold with his sixth album, full of adventurous time signatures, ear-grabbing melodies and no small dose of funk. The ensemble includes keyboardist Allan Farnham, bassist Terry Burrell and saxophonist Elias Haslanger (who has recorded several excellent albums on his own, including 1997's For The Moment). The tracks include a fun-spirited 7/4 tribute to Keith Jarrett, the mysterious 11/4 'Snake Charmer', a lovely jazz waltz, a nightmarish piano/drum improv and 'Velas' by Ivan Lins (of ...

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Commitment

Self Produced
2023

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Zero To 60

J-Nett
2016

buy

It's Telling...A...

Self Produced
2008

buy

The Sinnett Hearings

Unknown label
2004

buy

Blue Jae

Valley Vue Records
1994

buy

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