FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260
Keyboardist Rob Whitlock takes
his place on center stage
backed by a stellar supporting
cast on Sketchin’
2
Duet with Michael Brecker at radio while the
critics praise
the new collection of jazz, blues and
fusion
After more than two decades of
recording, performing and touring in support of jazz, pop and R&B stars,
keyboardist-producer-composer-arranger Rob Whitlock is ready for his
close-up. This time, the luminous
cast is supporting him on Sketchin’ 2, the album that hit the
streets this week on the artist’s own Sketchin’ Records label.
A “musician’s musician,” Whitlock
is a sought after Hammond B3 organist, who also plays piano and keyboards. He was joined in recording studios
throughout the
Whitlock composed or collaborated
on four new songs while producing and arranging Sketchin’ 2. He challenges listeners by presenting
compositions culled from traditional and contemporary jazz, blues, and
fusion. Sometimes his keyboard
artistry leads and other times he takes a back seat to allow a sax, a guitar or
a vocalist to pilot the track. The
production is warm and organic because being able to play these songs live is
important to Whitlock. To that end,
he will bring a band comprised of Jackson (bass), Almond (drums), Mike Miller (guitar), and Amber Whitlock (vocals) to perform
music from the Sketchin’ series to
San Diego (May 27th at Dizzy’s), San Juan Capistrano (May
28th at KSBR-FM’s Birthday Bash) and Los Angeles (June 2nd
at the Baked Potato), with additional dates and cities soon to be
announced.
Although the album just hit the
streets, it was greeted with positive buzz. All
Music Guide wrote, “The veteran keyboardist fully embodies the art of
independent jazz-making on this engaging and wildly eclectic project…As a
follow-up to 2005's Sketchin', the new collection has a bit of an edgier
and ‘retro’ feel to it, but the results are always engaging and provoke a wide
range of emotions. The mix also
offers some cool surprises.” EJazzNews.com stated, “Whitlock
directs his band-mates through an affable course of action, where jazzy funk
grooves, soaring horns and a synthesis of cross-genre components coalesce for an
enticing set of musical notions. The keyboardist’s sweeping B-3 lines
generate a peppery edge within Brazilian-tinged jazz-grooves, and R&B
drenched motifs…Whitlock’s muse is immersed within a multihued musical palate.
He injects hard-driving mosaics
spanning divergent rhythmic forays, complementing his substantial
writing/arranging faculties amid the musicians’ obvious sense of
conviction.” All
About Jazz added, “Filled with a catchy
mixture of rock, funk and jazz beats, Sketchin' 2, with first-rate
musicians easily weaves between the lines of what used to be called 70's rock
& fusion…‘The Colours of Life’ (is) a
haunting mixture of Rob Whitlock's animated keyboards and Brecker's amazing
tenor…If you’ve been missing the work of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (Steely
Dan), Sketchin’ 2 is a worthy
alternative that demands attention.” SmoothJazz.com concluded, “There is some serious jazz on this disc...make no mistake
about it...seriously great jazz…We can't overlook the stunning vocal performance
from Rob's wife, Amber, on the Billie Holiday staple, ‘Them There
Eyes’…Overall, Sketchin’ 2
from Rob Whitlock is first-rate material performed by first-rate musicians, and
the results are awesome!”
Julius Pastorius, son of the late bass legend Jaco Pastorius, did the album artwork
for Sketchin’ 2, which is comprised
of a series of intricate sketches of the musicians captured in the recording
studio. The concept was for the
illustrations to tell a story of the music and the musicians involved as album
artwork often did in the days before music videos. However, to please the video inclined,
the album is an enhanced CD that contains still photos and sketches from the
recording sessions set to music in a video format.
Additional information on Whitlock
can be found at www.robwhitlock.com.
# #
#
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Rick Scott 310.398.0260
All-star cast joins keyboardist
Rob Whitlock
on an eclectic set of musical
sketches
Sketchin’ 2 will
be unveiled April 18th, “The Colours Of Life” heading to
radio
Keyboardist Rob Whitlock has drawn from an array of
musical styles including jazz, blues, and fusion to create Sketchin’ 2, an album that boasts a
stellar supporting cast. The
artist’s own independent record label, Sketchin’ Records, will release the CD
on April 18th, the second disc spawned from a series of recording sessions that
took place over a two-year span from coast-to-coast with Michael Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta, Anthony Jackson, Scott Henderson, Othello Molineaux, Cliff Almond and Pat Kelley, amongst others. Whitlock composed or collaborated on
four new songs while producing and arranging the entire album. “The Colours Of Life” (instrumental
reprise), a beautiful, sensitive piano and sax duet between Whitlock and
Brecker, will be serviced to smooth jazz radio stations next month.
Whitlock likes to merge his music
with art. Sketchin’ 2’s artwork is by Julius Pastorious, which is comprised
of a series of intricate sketches of the musicians captured in the recording
studio. The concept was for the
artwork to tell a story of the music and the musicians involved like album
artwork often did before music videos.
However, to please the video inclined, the disc is an enhanced CD that
contains illustrations and still photos from the recording sessions set to music
in a video format. Pastorious is
the son of the late legendary bassist Jaco Pastorious. Jaco was a student of Bob Whitlock, Rob’s father who makes an
appearance playing guitar on the CD.
The circle of life continued as Jaco went on to have a great influence on
Rob’s musical career.
Sketchin’ was released last year. The new disc is a bit edgier and has a
“retro jazz” feel. Musically,
Whitlock challenges listeners by presenting compositions culled from traditional
and contemporary jazz, blues, and fusion.
Sometimes his keyboard artistry leads and other times he takes a back
seat to allow a sax, a guitar or a vocalist to pilot the track. On the album, he plays piano, keyboards
and Hammond B-3 organ, the latter of which he’s best known for. The production is warm and organic
because Whitlock feels that performing these songs live is what it’s all
about. “We were really careful not
to overproduce (the tracks),” he explained. “While the music is diverse, I tried to
make sure that it was accessible and palatable for the average listener. This collection of music is a labor of
love: love of music, of fellow musicians and their gifts, and for the music
enthusiast whom I hope will enjoy this album.”
The record opens with the aptly
titled “2nd Service,” which sets the stage for the diverse music mix
to follow. Rob’s wife, Amber Whitlock, contributes a stunning
rendition of “Them There Eyes,” originally made famous by Billie Holiday.
Born in
Additional information on Whitlock can be found at www.robwhitlock.com.