RODNEY WHITAKER QUINTET

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, New Orleans

Building on his Detroit roots and enormous talent, Whitaker went on to earn an international reputation as one of the world’s finest jazz double bass performer. He completed seven-year tenure as bassist with the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. 

He has toured the world over the last 25 years, collaborating and performing with legendary artists such as: Jimmy Heath, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Donald Harrison Jr, Terence Blanchard, Wycliffe Gordon, Kenny Burrell, Bob James, Benny Golson, Regina Carter, Pat Matheny, Nicholas Payton, Jimmy Cobb, Joshua Redman, Marcus Belgrave, James Carter, Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett, Sean Jones, Wessell Anderson, Don Vappie, Randy Brecker, Peter Martin, Nnenna Freelon, Donald Byrd, Branford Marsalis, Greg Hutchinson, Carl Allen, Herlin Riley, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Roy Hargrove, and late greats: Dizzy Gelispie, Mulgrew Miller, Tommy Flanagan, John Lewis, Marian McPartland, Donald Walden, Joe Henderson, Hank Jones, Frank Morgan and Betty ‘Bebop’ Carter, as well as performing with leading symphony orchestras worldwide. Whitaker has also toured internationally as a featured performer with the Roy Hargrove Quintet. In addition, he has appeared and presented master classes at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) conferences.

Featured on more than 100+ recordings, from film to compact discs, Whitaker’s film scores include: China, directed by Jeff Wray, was released on PBS in Fall 2002, and Malaria and Malawi, released on PBS in Fall 2010. In 2011, he was nominated for an EMMY Award for the ‘Original Music’ category, “Malawi and Malaria: Fighting to Save the Children.”

A proven and committed jazz educator, Whitaker has presented numerous master classes across the nation at locations such as Duke University, Howard University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Barbican in London, the New School (NY), Lincoln Center, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival. In addition, he is a consultant with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in the development of the jazz education department, and has served on the faculties of University of Michigan and Julliard Institute of Jazz.

Now based in East Lansing, Whitaker continues to serve many of the talented in the state of Michigan. His legacy of teaching promises to be distinguished with former students currently performing with jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Pat Matheny, The Count Basie Orchestra and Stephon Harris.

Whitaker attended Wayne State University, studied with late, great trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, bassists Stephen Molina and Ralph Armstrong, among others. 

This month, Whitaker is a visiting professor and teaching artist at the University of New Orleans' Jazz Studies department, founded by the late Ellis Marsalis Jr, 

Rodney Whitaker – bass 

Gerald Watkins Jr – drums 

Ashlin Parker – trumpet 

+ More TBA 

Doors at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. 

Restaurant is Open 6pm – 10pm for dinner before or after your showtime: 

Advance Ticket Holders can now automatically make dinner table reservations for the Dining Room online via Open Table here! 

Advance Ticket-Holders can also make table reservations for dinner by Emailing info@snugjazz.com after your tickets have been purchased online. All dinner table reservations must be attached to advance concert tickets. Dinner Service without Advance Concert Tickets is first-come, first-served based on availability upon arrival. 

Full Bar is Open 6pm – Midnight for all, on show nights, with or without tickets. 

Kind Reminder:  Snug Harbor does not serve food inside the Music Room. In order to preserve the integrity, quiet and focus of our world class intimate concerts, only cocktails and soft drinks are available for table service inside the Music Room. However, we encourage you to arrive 90 Minutes prior to your showtime in order to enjoy full, relaxing dinner service in the Dining Room right next door, before getting seated in the Music Room for the show. 9pm ticket holders can also enjoy dinner, dessert or appetizers after the show, with Dining Room seating only guaranteed by submitting your table request before 8pm. 

 As announced by the City of New Orleans, as of March 24th 2022, Snug Harbor is no longer requiring valid proof of Covid vaccination or negative test for entry, and while masks are still suggested while not eating or drinking indoors, they are now optional for all. We are now seating at just under our regular audience capacity. 

However, with our intimate venue's regularly limited seating capacity, advance tickets are still strongly suggested in order to guarantee seats for this acclaimed show!  This show WILL sell-out.