SHOWTIMES ARE AT 7:30PM & 9:30PM FOR THIS PERFORMANCE. Doors open at 5pm for dinner. Seating begins at 6pm for “Dinner & a Show”. The second show starts seating at 9pm.
Featuring:
- Trunino Lowe – Trumpet/ Band Leader
- Rodney Whitaker – Bass
- Ian Finklestein – Piano
- Louis Jones III – Drums
- Jeffrey Trent – Saxophone
Trunino has performed with some of the finest musicians the world has to offer. He’s played with the likes of Marion Hayden, Wendell Harrison, Marcus Elliot, Rodney Whitaker, Ralphe Armstrong, Pamela Wise, Kris Johnson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Terri Lynn Carrington, Jazzmeia Horn ( playing on her upcoming release ), Karriem Riggins, Endea Owens, Russell Hall, Sean Jones, Stefon Harris, Carl Allen, Charles Tolliver, Willerm Delisfort, & others. A JAS Academy student in 2021, A member of the Paradise Big Band led by Kris Johnson and He’s performed on some very prestigious stages such as, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (NYC), Jazz Showcase (CHI), Detroit Jazz Festival, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (DET). He’s Also performed internationally in France, Germany, and Denmark. Trunino believes that music has the ability to enhance our lives and guide us to different levels of consciousness, ultimately improving human interactions on personal, social, and cultural levels globally.
Internationally renowned bassist and Origin Records 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 world. He is considered one of the leading performers and teachers of the jazz double bass in the United States. He is also the Artistic Director of the Michigan State University Professors of Jazz, former Artistic Advisor of Jazz @ Wharton Center, Director of Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Orchestra and a former member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Whitaker received his first national recognition performing with the Harrison/Blanchard Quintet.
Rodney is one of the hardest working and swinging bass players on the scene and has recorded with great musicians such as Roy Hargrove, Pat Metheny and Wynton Marsalis. 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”. In 2011, he was nominated for an EMMY for the ‘Original Music’ category, “Malawi and Malaria: Fighting to Save the Children” produced by Robert Gould and Sue Carter.
A proven and committed jazz educator, Whitaker has presented numerous master classes across the nation at locations such as Duke University, Howard University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Barbican in London, the New School (NY), Lincoln Center, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival. In addition, he is a consultant with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the development of the jazz education department, and has served on the faculties of University of Michigan and Julliard Institute of Jazz.