Rodney Whitaker - Cranbrook Christmas Jazz (2020)

Legendary bassist Rodney Whitaker has been a celebrated force in Michigan's jazz eco-system since returning to develop the world-class program at Michigan State University. Active with numerous jazz legacy institutions, Whitaker has spent five-years as Artist in Residence with the historic Christ Church Cranbrook near Detroit, where its wide-ranging arts and community offerings has afforded Whitaker and choir director Christopher Wells to collaborate, providing rich opportunities to bring together the worlds of jazz and traditional choir music. This recording documents their long-running Sacred Jazz Concerts and features preeminent jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin, with Whitaker's sextet and the Church's choir, performing arrangements of hymns, Christmas favorites, and jazz standards of the season, including Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" and Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here."