Hello friends!

I've updated my LISTEN section - I categorized the three sections, including the new POP/ROCK category. I've been working on developing my skill set on guitar, bass, and piano during COVID, not to mention wanting to acquire more experience working in Logic Pro. So, for your listening pleasure/torture, I uploaded recent arrangements of songs from two of my favorite pop and rock bands. I'm playing every instrument, singing all the parts (be kind...), and I programmed the drums, as well. In the JAZZ section, I've included a preview of my NEW album, which will come out in a couple of months.

Why pop and rock? First, I love it. I grew up with it, and it's a style I've always performed. Second, I teach my students the importance of versatility in developing a sustainable career in music, and I want to show them that I practice what I preach. Third, I've never been a purist. I love music, whatever that means. Duke Ellington said there are two types of music: good music, and the other kind. Good music is transcendent. And, 'good' is in the eye of the beholder. 

I hope you enjoy listening to the new music as much as I enjoyed working on it. More later!

AW

Hello, friends!

COVID notwithstanding, it's been a slow few months. Well, for gigs and performances. SOOO, I've been channeling my gig desires into recording and producing!

The first is my spring quarter record-from-home project with my two flagship ensembles: Cal Poly's Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Each group recorded using microphones, interfaces, and DAWs they purchased for precisely this project. They did such an amazing job that I spent last summer and part of the fall quarter producing and editing from home to prepare it for release.

And, on Friday, Feb. 19, we will celebrate the release of another time, another place: a double album that features the terrific students of Cal Poly's jazz program. Assisting on this project are some serious heavyweights - Robin Eubanks, Joe Locke, Ada Rovatti, and the immortal Randy Brecker all lent their firepower on our recordings - we are so excited!

And, I'll talk about my NEW album (already??) in a future blog.

UPDATE: It's streaming everywhere! Go to iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc., and get this thing!

AW

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