Rick Whitehead Jazz Trio

Update on News - Old and Recent!

sanelma — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:27:50 +0000

A breath-taking concert took place Friday evening, September 16, 2011, at the Montpelier Cultural Center in Laurel, MD. Rick, John and Barry joined forces with noted woodwind artist, Chris Vadala. The energy was electric. Notes, riffs and rolls were flying all over the room. The venue is intimate, holding approximately 75. Every seat was taken by a most appreciative audience. Adjoining the concert room is an art gallery for attendees viewing pleasure. Refreshments were served during intermission. This is an excellent venue with jazz performances every Friday night at 8 p.m. Check the calendar for future dates for this combination of extraordinary musicians.

Rick’s composition “Wherever It Takes You,” was recently released by Dave Wright on his latest CD “Power Sharing.” This CD features many of the musicians who are part of “The Wright Touch Band.” The tune is a lilting samba with a woodwind quintet prelude and postlude composed by Chris Battistone. Dyane Wright is featured on bassoon in a duet with the guitar.

The May issue of Just Jazz Guitar featured a full-length article of an interview by Bart Stringham with Rick. It contains stories of Rick’s beginnings as a musician in Florida; a few lines about his time with the Airmen of Note, how he teaches guitar, and a bit about his guitar and amp. If you’re interested in obtaining a copy of this article, contact:

The Airmen of Note held their 60th Anniversary celebrations in September 2010. Rick was a featured soloist with the band at their concert held in Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. A two-hour jam session was held at Bolling Air Force Base the following day. It was a time of reminiscing and performing with former bandmates and with the current members of the band. Judging by the expressions on everyones faces - a great time was had by all!!

In the fall of 2009 Rick received a call from the National Symphony to join them at the White House for a concert during a dinner for he Prime Minister of India. Rick had the pleasure of accompanying Jennifer Hudson and Kurt Elling. Marvin Hamlisch was the guest conductor for the evening.

Rick Whitehead: Guitaristic

scottlenger — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:25:50 +0000

Rick began this recording project right after he retired with 22 years in the U. S. Air Force Band’s jazz ensemble Airmen of Note. At the same time the Rick Whitehead Trio was formed and they decided to record some CDs. After three CDs, one solo guitar CD, Rick finally pulled the Guitaristic project off the shelf and has now finished the production of the recording.

Guitaristic is a collection of previously unreleased recordings from 1993. They are centered on the guitar and include several multi-track productions as well as a spontaneous duo with special guest Charlie Byrd on four of the tracks. The styles range from bebop, ballads, swing, smooth and also include three of Rick’s original tunes. Also heard on some of the tracks are pianist Stef Scagiarri, Dave Wundrow/bass and Mike Shepard/drums. Anything that works well with the guitar was the emphasis of this project. There’s an up-tempo version of Lover using 22 guitar tracks. There’s a coupling of two Billy Strayhorn tunes, Lush Life and UMMG where guitars are used for the background parts. These are just a few of the different recordings found on this CD.

Purchase from CD Baby

Track List:

Lover
BeBop
Out of Nowhere
Lullaby of Birdland
Wherever it Takes You
Lush Life/UMMG
August Rain
Children Playing
Caravan
Blues II
So Many Stars

Art in the form of Jazz Music in the Sculpture Garden

sanelma — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:55:44 +0000

Rick, John and Barry to perform on Friday, June 13 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. as part of the National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden series. The concert is held in the Sculpture Garden, between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington DC. The performance is free and held outdoors. Food and drinks are available in the Pavilion Cafe. Metro stops are either the Smithsonian stop or the Archives stop.

Mon Ami Gabi Gig Continues

sanelma — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:52:35 +0000

Rick and his swinging guitar performs with the Lou Hinds (bass) trio with Jack Wolfe on sax, on Thursdays, June 5, 19 and 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mon Ami Gabi, intersection of Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, in Bethesda, MD. These guys are having too much fun performing together. You’ve got to be there to catch their trading not only 8’s, 4’s, 2’s but sometimes even 1’s - - - plus trading tunes within a tune. It’s great fun to hear them!! Oh, and the food a double-delicious!!

Intimate Jazz!

sanelma — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:42:40 +0000

On Saturday, June 21, in the intimate 49 West Restaurant, 49 West Street, Annapolis, MD, beginning at 8 p.m. Rick will join reknown bassist Joe Byrd in a fun, swinging performance. This program is called Intimate Jazz because the venue only seats 40 people. It’s like having the concert in your own living room! $20 cover. Reservations: 410-626-0706.

Free Lunchtime Entertainment

sanelma — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:25:32 +0000

On Wednesday, July 9, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., the awesome threesome will be in concert in the Out to Lunch series as part of the Wednesday Rockville Farmer’s Market on East Montgomery Avenue. The Farmer’s Market becomes a festival as music, food, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, baked goods combine to offer a fun-filled experience! For more info: www.rockvillemd.gov/events/farmers.htm

The Trio Returns for a Rollicking Jazz Romp in Rockville!

sanelma — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:21:21 +0000

On Thursday, August 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. Rick, John and Barry return to perform at the new Town Center in Rockville as part of the Plaza Stage Series. The concert is free. Restaurants located around the Plaza. For more details: www.rockvillemd.gov/events/square.htm

Jazz at The Corcoran Gallery of Art

sanelma — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:59:59 +0000

Guitar virtuoso, Rick Whitehead, will be performing a solo concert at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Musician extraordinaire, also known for his quick-witted humor, will entertain you with some of his favorite, and some of your favorite, tunes. For more information, telephone the Corcoran at 202-639-1770.

The Trio at Blues Alley backing Chris Linman

sanelma — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:59:48 +0000

Rick, John and Barry will be backing vocalist/pianist Chris Linman at Blues Alley on Monday, March 10. Showtimes are 8 and 10 p.m. Join the crowd as Chris croons your favorite tunes. Reservations: 202-337-4141.

Wammie Winner!!!

sanelma — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:59:24 +0000

The Trio won the 2007 Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) as Best Jazz Group!! This world-class power trio has been together 14 years which is quite evident by their solid and cohesive sound. It is awesome to be recognized by ones colleagues as the best. Many thanks to WAMA.