Dave Valentin
Renown Grammy Award winning Latin jazz flutist, Dave Valentin, was born of Puerto Rican parents in 1952 in New York City. His love for music started quite early; playing bongos and congas before he was 10 and even working Latin clubs in New York by 12. His talent and interest took him to the well respected High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he began studying percussion.
Valentin changed to flute and complemented his formal education at school with private classes under master flutist Hubert Laws. The early influences on Valentin’s development as a flutist came from Latin artists such as Richard Egues but was tempered by American jazz musicians including James Moody, Frank Wess, Joe Farrell and, of course, his mentor, Hubert Laws.
Valentin soon began working as a professional musician in Latin bands, developing an unusual technique that featured blowing in a manner that sounded like percussion. Other unique developments by Valentin included singing into the flute and using non-standard flute instruments such a bass flute and a variety of flute developed in Colombia. He applied his techniques to a wide variety of music genres, ranging from jazz and R&B to salsa and merengue.
Despite the fact that the market for Latin jazz artists was not very good when Valentin was trying to establish his professional career, he persevered and pursued other avenues. He made a name for himself in the Far East, Australia, and Europe as well as the United States, based on his extraordinary and evident talent.
Valentin released his debut album in 1977 with Ricardo Marrero and also appeared on a recording by Noel Pointer. He was the first artist to sign with the GRP label, respected for its talented pool of Jazz artists and technical leadership in digital recording techniques. Valentin produced 16 recordings for GRP, and became a respected Latin jazz instrumentalist in the market. A highpoint release was a joint effort with Herbie Mann, 1990’s “Two Amigos.”
His more recent recordings were released on other record labels, such as “Primitive Passions” in 1996 on RMM Records. That album was followed by “Sunshower” in 1999 on the Concord Jazz label, and featuring more smooth Latin jazz, such as “Reunion,” which shows the great influence of Hupert Laws.
To his artistic credit, Valentin is also a composer, arranger, and bandleader in addition to being the most celebrated Latin flutist today. He won a Grammy nomination in 1985 and the kudos of jazz fans with his selection as the leading jazz flutist by Jazziz magazine readers for seven years running.
Since the mid-2000's, Valentin has been signed to HighNote Records releasing “World On A String,” in 2005 and “Come Fly With Me,” in 2006. This last effort features a premier rhythm section of Robee Ameen on drums, Milton Cardona and Richie Flores on percussion, a full on Latin jazz outing from the inspiring flutist. This recording is reviewed here by Michael Gladstone at ‘all about jazz.’
Performing a variety of ethnic and classical flutes, Dave Valentin’s playing combines a popular and accessible form of Brazilian, salsa, merengue, funk and jazz. A native of the South Bronx, Valentin began with bongos and congas, later focusing on the flute at the urging of his teacher, Hubert Laws. He has recorded 25 albums and has performed with such legendary performers as Tito Puente (as his Music Director), Machito, Herbie Mann, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Barreto, Eddie Palmieri and Johnny Pacheco. Voted “Best Jazz Flutist” in Jazzis Magazine for the past eight years, his most recent CDs, for Highnote Records, are World on a String (2005) and Come Fly With Me (2006). Mr. Valentin is a proud Bronx resident and active member of his community.
Jae Sinnett
| . | As a recording artist, Jae Sinnett has 10 recordings as a leader, the first was released in 1986 - called "Obsession." Featured were: The former director of the Count Basie Orchestra - saxophonist Frank Foster, John Hicks, piano, Wallace Roney trumpet, Steve Wilson saxophone and Clarence Seay, bass. The swinging sextet release "Blue Jae" followed in 1992. "House and Sinnett" came out in 1994 and featured Cyrus Chestnut and Steve Wilson. "Listen" was released in 1997 with Jesse Davis, alto, John D'earth, trumpet, Billy Pierce, tenor saxophone, Allen Farnham and Cyrus Chestnut, piano and went to the number one slot on the Jazz radio charts in July of that year. "The Better Half" was released in April 1999 featuring the sensational saxophonist Chris Potter and his trio with pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell. "The Better Half" made it to number 10 on the charts in June of 1999 and this recording represented a different musical direction with Jae's writing. “Off the Myopic Avenue” was released in 2000 - which also features the trio and special guest saxophonist Elias Haslanger. “Confluence" was released in 2003. This is the first release that solely features the trio. “The Sinnett Hearings” is next and features some of Jae’s best writing and arranging. This is the first of his eight releases where he wrote and arranged every composition and "The Sinnett Hearings" became the first jazz cd to debut number one on the national jazz radio charts in January of 2006! The CD is sonically beautiful and is a wonderful vehicle in showcasing the groups high-level musicianship. It is a powerful and soulful mix of thought provoking grooves and improvisation. Jae's drumming masterpiece "It's Telling...A Drummer's Perspective" was released in 2008. "Telling" is complex and heady but brilliantly performed. Jae's latest "Theatre" is his first live recording and features the young amazing pianist Justin Kauflin. The CD is explosive. Jae's first performance/instructional video called “Musical Drumming Concepts” was released in 2001. "Modern Drummer" magazine rated it an "8" out of "10." It showcases his compositions, philosophical teaching skills and drumming in various styles, meters and straight and swinging eighth note concepts. A very lyrical and intelligent composer, he's written over 150 compositions. He's also scored music for five documentaries - one of which (John Biggers: Stories of Illumination) was aired on PBS. Jae is also a 20 year broadcasting veteran as jazz producer/host for National Public Radio affiliate, WHRV-FM, 89.5 in Norfolk, VA. Jae hosts an extremely popular jazz show called "Sinnett In Session" Monday through Thursday evenings from 9pm-1am and Sunday afternoons from 1pm-5pm. His new show is called "The R&B Chronicles" heard Friday evenings at 7pm. Both of which now can be heard On Demand. In 1998 he was nominated for Gavin Jazz programmer of the year. | |
