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C
Artist
Carl Allen & Rodney Whitaker
10+ albums
jazzdetroitdrumsbass
about
CARL ALLEN & RODNEY WHITAKER WORK TO DO In jazz, drummers and bass players comprise more than simply the pulse of the band – they’re the spirit, the life blood, the spiritual connection to all that has passed and all that is possible. When we consider the work of such iconic rhythm section giants as Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones, Jymie Merritt and Art Blakey, or Ron Carter and Tony Williams, we hear not only the history of a people, but the hopes and dreams of a generation, and what the future holds for generations to come. Past = prelude. When long time rhythm section partners Carl Allen (drums) and Rodney Whitaker (bass) recorded their 2007 Mack Avenue debut, Get Ready, they wanted their past to inform their present. Culling themes from classic R&B, soul jazz, pop and straight ahead styles, Allen and Whitaker created music that found a wide audience who praised the duo for “taking them back home.” With Work To Do, this estimable Detroit/Milwaukee born and bred rhythm connection – a true rhythm convention – knew they had to let the good times continue to roll. “As a drums and bass led group,” Rodney Whitaker explains, “we think less about improvisation and we respond more to the audience. If they are not tapping their toes we are not doing our job. When bass players and drummers lead bands they think more in terms of tempos and grooves and time and feel. And in keeping with that we want make sure that everybody is having a good time.” Again joining past with present,
