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The Wayne Wilentz Trio e nossos amigos
Break of Dawn
Download "Recordar E Viver" from Digstation!!!!
Wayne has performed with such famous R&B acts as Carl Gardner's Coasters, The Shirelles, The Marvellettes, and Jimmy Norman. He was a keyboardist and composer for the '80's funk band "SKYY" from 1981 to 1989, and possesses a gold record commemorating their chart-topping Album "Skyy Line" on Salsoul Records. Born in New York City, Wayne moved to Washington in 1989, and has played Brazilian and American Jazz in the nation's capitol since then. Wayne has a B.S. in Speech from Northwestern University, and produced the nightly jazz program on the school's radio station, WNUR.
Since moving to the DC area, Wayne has recorded on a number of CD's, many of which he co-produced. Karen Devitt's "Peel Me A Grape" (1991), "Way Out There" by Exodus Quartet (1995), The Wayne Wilentz Trio"...e nossos amigos" (1995), Valucha's "Born In Brazil" (1997), Thievery Corporation's "Songs from The Thievery Hi-Fi" (1998), Pam Bricker, Wayne Wilentz and Jim West's "U-topia" (2000 - Winner of the WAMMIE award for Contemporary Jazz CD of 2000), Michelle Walker's "Slow Down" (2001- Nominee for Independent Record of the Year and a top seller on MP3.com), Karen Gray's "In Good Company" (2002), Thievery Corporation's "The Richest Man In Babylon" (2002), "Chiclete Com Banana" by Nicki Gonzalez, Jamieson Tobey and Wayne Wilentz (2003).
In 2004, Wayne released his first compilation of original material entitled "Break of Dawn". It featured vocals by four of DC's finest jazz singers, Pam Bricker, Patrick Desantos, Nicki Gonzalez and Steve Washington.
"Break of Dawn", "U-topia", "Slow Down" and "In Good Company" were all recorded at Backstreet Studios, Wayne's recording studio. Recent efforts from the studio include Liz Briones' debut CD, Renee Tannenbaum's CD "Sway", and the new CD by Diane Daly, "I Ain't Blue". The track "Home At Last" from "U-topia" was included on the ESC Records salute to Steely Dan, "Maestros of Cool" (2006), alongside tracks by Chuck Loeb, Don Braden, Cornelius Bumpus and many other well known artists.
The Wayne Wilentz Quartet has just released their new CD "Recordar É Viver". Release parties will be announced very soon! The CD is a reflection of the material they have been working on recently, including originals by Wayne and David, plus works by great composers from Brazil and the USA, like Chico Buarque, Duke Ellington, Nelson Cavaquinho and Jimi Hendrix.
Over the years Wayne has done many sessions for ESL Music and Thievery Corporation, and can be heard on remixes by them, particularly on "Dirty Little Secret" from Sarah McLaughlin's remix CD "Bloom". He is also on the new ESL CD by Natalia Clavier entitled "Nectar".
Photo credits: Default pic by Jude Gustafson; Adams Morgan Day shots by Diane Daly-www.headfirstphotos.com
VIDEOS:
1) The Wayne Wilentz Brazilian Band at Adams Morgan Day 2007
2) Dana Wilentz singing "True Colors" at Watkins Mill High School Choral Concert 2008
3) Five Finger Discount live at Del Ray Festival 2008
4) The Wayne Wilentz Trio live at Bossa Bistro; "Nao Deixa Samba Morer".
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT WAYNE AND HIS RECORDINGS:
"One of Washington's most accomplished jazz pianists, particularly in modern mainstream and Brazilian styles"- Washingtonian Magazine
"...on Midnight Rain...pianist Wayne Wilentz's solo is a gem.." JazzImprov magazine review of Perry Conticchio's Cd "Speak Your Truth"
"...a tight, authentic Brazilian trio..."
On The One Magazine
"All in all, it's a charming album, marked by a series of
appealing collaborations." (Mike Joyce)
"..a long and strong draw....and rightfully so. " (Eve Zibart)
The Washington Post
"I like it (the CD) very much!"
Mauricio Einhorn (world-famous Brazilian composer and hamonicat).
"Wilentz has good command of the structures...exhibits great taste in material and heads off on interesting linear routes."
Bossa Magazine (reviewed by Fred Bouchard).
