Independent Music

The Trio of Phil Dwyer, Alan Jones, and Rodney Whitaker came together through a mutual love of hard-swinging and joyous acoustic jazz. This saxophone/bass/drums trio draws it's inspiration from the greats of the music, and they infuse everything they play with a huge dose of creative energy. Their performance at Toronto's Top O' the Senator in Sept.'03 earned them a spot on the "Top Ten Moments in Canadian Jazz" for 2003, as picked by the national Globe and Mail newspaper. They are pleased to have recently released their debut album, "Let me tell you about my day" It contains a coherent blend of original tunes by all the members, as well as the great standards Afternoon in Paris, and Airegin.

Individually the members of the trio have enjoyed successful and interesting careers in a huge variety of musical situations. Saxophonist Phil Dwyer received early training from Steve Grossman and Dave Liebman while living in New York in the early eighties. During this period he was able to play with many of the greats, including Kenny Barron, Lenny White, Teri-Lyne Carrington, Rashid Ali, and the Jazz Messengers. Since moving to Toronto in 1989 he has become a first call studio musician, playing on over a thousand sessions for cds, television and radio, and commercials. He has also performed with many out of town guests, including Red Rodney, Renee Rosnes, Tom Harrell, Kenny Wheeler, and Marcus Belgrave. Phil has three times received the Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) for Best Jazz Album.

Internationally renowned Rodney Whitaker is not only one the world's outstanding bassists, but is also an exceptional composer, and one of the leading figures in music education. He is an Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Studies and Michigan State University, and has presented classes at Duke, Howard, and the University of Iowa. Rodney has become well-known to jazz audiences through his work with many of the top groups in jazz today. He performed as a member of both the Terence Blanchard, and Roy Hargrove bands. He spent six years with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, recording and touring with this prestigious musical organization. He has appeared on over a hundred recordings, and has performed with many of the legends of music like Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, and Benny Golson, as well as with the cream of the younger musical crop of the last twenty years.

Drummer Alan Jones is a product of the fabulous Portland, Oregon music scene. He spent his early years listening to local legends Jim Pepper and Count Dutch, and went on to work with them while he was still in his teens. Alan also studied with drum legend Mel Brown while in Portland. He went on to become a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, as well as studying for two summers at the prestigious Banff Centre of Fine Arts, in Canada. Alan lived in New York for several years during the eighties, and through his relationship with Jim Pepper met a played with many of his heroes including Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Jaco Pastorius, and the late Elvin Jones. After, he toured with the great bassist David Friesen for 4 years, before moving to Europe. He has performed and recorded extensively with his own groups and as a sideman with the likes of Dave Holland, Leroy Vinnegar, Randy Brecker, and Andrew Hill. He is now living back in Portland, where he writes for film, dance, and theatre, as well as leading the Alan Jones Sextet.

Check out the artist's website:
http://www.alanjonesmusic.com

Track List:
1. Afternoon in Paris
2. Narcolypso
3. The Black Beer
4. Refuge
5. I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me
6. Two White Heads
7. Thangs
8. Camp Whitaker
9. Airegin
10. Winter Moon
11. For Garrison
12. Let Me Tell You About My Day

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