All About Jazz is the top website for jazz promotion in the universe, and I'm beyond ecstatic of this really flattering review from Jim Worsley! Click on the link to check it out! 4 out 5 stars - WOW! I'm so honored and humbled!

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/when-you-find-it-arthur-white-and-merge-arc-artists-recording-collective

https://www.columbiatribune.com/entertainment/20200807/review-saxophonist-says-when-with-new-album

A great review from Aarik Danielsen from the Columbia Tribune - I directed the jazz program at the University of Missouri with love for many years, and I'm grateful for the kind words. Hit the link above!

Arthur White and Merge, When You Find It

Arthur White has long been an influential educator, working as the director of jazz studies at the University of Missouri, Oklahoma’s Northeastern State University, and currently at California Polytechnic State University. While he has produced 11 albums thus far for his college ensembles, contributed arrangements for a long list of jazz greats (including Christian McBride, James Carter, Peter Erskine, Mulgrew Miller, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Watson and Randy Brecker), and recorded as a sideman, When You Find It is his long overdue debut at the head of his own record date. For this project, White is featured on tenor and contributed all eight selections. He is joined in his group Merge by guitarist Mark Tonelli, pianist Ken Kehner, Andrew Stinson or Sam Copeland on bass, Marty Morrison or John Kizilarmut on drums and, on two songs, vibraphonist Greg Carroll. All of the musicians are world class players. White’s music is modern post-bop jazz that utilizes original chord changes along with some fresh melodies. The opener, “When You Find It,” is a little reminiscent of the music that Keith Jarrett performed in the 1970s when tenor-saxophonist Dewey Redman was in his band. A strong introduction to Merge, this selection has creative tenor, piano, and guitar solos and displays an appealing group sound. “Intuition” has a catchy melody that inspires creative solos while “Cyan” is a modern swinger most notable for the passionate improvisation by the leader. The melancholy ballad “Second Time Around” is a change of pace that has thoughtful playing while “Sweet Baby Sam” features a strong forward momentum and spots for vibes, tenor and guitar that swing hard. “Tunnel Vision” is a little funky and has a rockish guitar solo from Tonelli and along with some particularly adventurous playing from White. “Hiccups” is a happily eccentric piece that is often a bit witty and unpredictable. The program concludes with one of the most memorable selections, “Great Plains.” This original has fast lines in the melody, cooks hard, and features Arthur White playing his own sheets of sound a la Coltrane. The closer could have easily been much longer and leaves one wanting more. Hopefully there will be many encores in the future. When You Find It is easily recommended and is a strong example of inventive modern jazz from Arthur White and Merge.

Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian and author of 11 books including Jazz On Record: 1917-76

http://lajazzscene.buzz/waxing-poetic-reviews/

Friends, THANK YOU for your support of my album so far!

I'm really excited to share it with you all, and I'm excited to sell more. So, if you like it, tell a friend or co-worker (or enemy - why not?)! 

We're just getting started! More later!

AW

Good morning!

So much has happened since I updated my website last, not the least of which has been my new gig as director of jazz studies at Cal Poly. Sure, there's a pandemic and all, but I digress.

I'm finally ready to release this record - when you find it...will be officially be released on my 50th (yep!) birthday on July 5, 2020. I'm really excited to have you hear these great players, and, naturally, my music.

I'm donating the first round of profits to the Southern Poverty Law Center and to the Rocket Relief Fund, which gives emergency grants to Kansas City-based musicians and artists. If even 200 people bought this, I could give up to $1,000 to each organization.

Thanks in advance for your support of me and these great organizations!

More soon!
AW

Normally, I wouldn't make a big deal about one concert, but, for me, this show coming up is pretty cool...

October 18, 7:30pm, PAC Pavilion at Cal Poly, I'm giving my first faculty recital, and I've got some great people joining me for this concert!

In addition to two of my MERGE brothers, Mark Tonelli and Justin Binek, the great Evan Flory-Barnes is coming down from Seattle to join the band on bass. And, if that weren't awesome enough...

JOE LOCKE and PETER ERSKINE, two of the world's great jazz musicians, will be in residence at Cal Poly, and are joining the band! 

I'm premiering my new composition, the mulit-movement Pictures of the Heartland, this evening, and this band will record this suite for ARC this winter.

To say I'm excited is an understatement!

Tickets are $14 GA, and $9 for CP students - this will be a great show! Come join us!

More later, 

AW

Friends,

Updating this blog is a challenge - man, do I suck at it. Tips?

So, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, or checked out my professional page on FB, you know that I made a major announcement recently. 

I'm moving to Cali! Well, my family, too, of course...

Starting in September 2019, I will be returning to college teaching as an assistant professor, and director of jazz studies, at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly, for short). This opportunity was too good to pass up, and my family and I are adventurous, so we decided to go for it. I'm absolutely THRILLED to work with a fantastic faculty and brilliant students in a community that is just beautiful. It's equidistant between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and drivable to each. I'm nervous and excited to tackle a new gig and explore/join a new music community or two. Plus, I have the greatest family and we're excited to do this together!

There's a MERGE gig or two still lingering before the move, and I'm playing with Boulevard BB, Jim Lower JO, and Tumbao through July. There are still some chances to see me play in KC and Wichita before we load up a truck. The calendar will be updated shortly.

So, into the shed! Check out calpoly.edu to see where I'm going! And, thanks for your love and support!

More later!

AW

Friends,

I have updated my calendar - new gigs with KC and ICT big bands, in addition to TUMBAO, a killer new salsa band out of the ICT. Also, MERGE gets back to work in April at the Blue Room, as well as the new 424 Jazz Lounge in Leavenworth. Looking forward to hits at the Wichita Jazz and River Festivals, also.

I've been crazy busy lately traveling for residencies at some universities, and writing new music for MERGE and the KC Area Youth Jazz Fellows Octet. BUT, I will get better at this blogging thing!

Looking forward to performing for you soon!

AW

Friends,

First, I'm gonna get better at blogging!

Second, I am so proud to join the JODYJAZZ family as a new endorsing artist! I am grateful to Jody, Colin, Danielle, and the entire team at JODYJAZZ for their faith in me. I'm also grateful to Ryan Richman at EASTMAN for introducing us and saying nice things about me.

It's amazing to be an artist for both of these incredible companies. Check out my my setup, the GIANT 7* and POWER RING ligature on my 52nd St. tenor, at a gig near you!

More soon!
AW

First, I kinda suck at blogging. I need to get better at this!

Second, if you follow me on any social media platform, you know by now that I accepted the position of director of music at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita, KS. It's a return home for my family; Megan and I are both from Kansas, and we are excited to be back. We are less than a mile from her parents, and 90 minutes from my mom. And, Sam gets to grow up near his cousins, which we're really pleased about.

Plus, I have some great students in my new program, and they're motivated to accomplish great things. It's a great fit already. It's COMPLETELY different than anything I've ever done. Maybe that's why I like it so much...

It's been a whirlwind 2018. My dad passed away in January, and my dear aunt (mom's sister) passed away earlier in August. Pretty amazing how important family becomes when they're not here anymore. Additionally, Megan and I both accepted, and started, new jobs in the ICT, while Sam started a new school.

AND, I'm still gigging, writing, and trying like mad to finish my record! The latter has, naturally, become slightly difficult, since I need to head to Columbia and do this...

Still, with everything that's going on, I'm staying active in my career as a musician and composer. I was recently named the inaugural composer-in-residence for the 2019 KC Area Youth Jazz initiative, which will feature talented high school players in the Kansas City area performing my original music. This will culminate in an album, which will be released by ARC in November 2019. TO say that I'm thrilled for this chance is an understatement.

MERGE is going strong. The terrific pianist/singer Justin Binek has joined the band, and I'm stoked. He's an amazing player and person. Mark Tonelli and I are very happy to make music with this guy. I've been working a lot with some great young players in KC: Joey Panella, Daniel Hogans, and Dominique Sanders have been killing it on the bass and drum chairs for a few months. My bro, the great drummer Kevin Rutschmann, is going to play some with us soon, as well.

Change is natural, even if it is scary as hell. Still, I am grateful to get this life to spend with my family, friends, and students.

More soon!