Jae Sinnett
Host, Sinnett in SessionAs as 35 plus year professional performing artist…drummer, composer and music Educator, Jae Sinnett has 16 recordings as a leader and has appeared on several recordings as a sideman. Jae’s first release as a leader was in 1986 - called "Obsession." Featured on this project were: The former director of the Count Basie Orchestra, Frank Foster playing saxophone, John Hicks, piano, Wallace Roney, trumpet, Steve Wilson, saxophone and Clarence Seay, bass. His other releases include Blue Jae, House and Sinnett, Listen (number one Gavin national jazz chart 1996), The Better Half, Off the Myopic Avenue, Confluence, The Sinnett Hearings (number one on the national jazz charts February 2005), Still Standing, It's Telling-A Drummer's Perspective, Theatre, Subject to Change, House & Sinnett Old School Loyalty (Soul ensemble 2011). In 2016 Jae released his Zero to 60 Quartet project which went to number one on the Jazzweek national radio charts in April of 2016. The quartet features saxophonist Ralph Bowen, pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell. In 2019 the Quartet released the follow up Just When You Thought which spent 26 weeks in the top 25 on the chart. Jae also composed and performs the theme song to Another View on WHRV FM 89.5.
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 ideas on music and drumming education and drumming in various styles. A very lyrical, intelligent and prolific composer, he's written over 200 compositions. He's also scored music for five documentaries, one of which (John Biggers: Stories of Illumination) was aired on PBS. Jae is now in his 31st amazing year as jazz producer/host on WHRV-FM, 89.5, public radio for Eastern Virginia. Jae hosts the popular jazz show "Sinnett In Session" Monday through Thursday evenings from 9pm-1am, Saturday mornings from 1-5 and Sunday afternoons from 1pm-5pm. His second show he produces is called "The R&B Chronicles" which is heard Friday evenings at 7pm.
In 1998 Jae was nominated for Gavin Jazz programmer of the year by his peers in the industry and has been nominated four more times since. In 2018 he was awarded the Scott Willis Jazz Impact Award and in 2019 he was awarded the prestigious Duke Dubois Jazz Humanitarian Award!!! Jae is an extraordinary fundraiser. His jazz show continues to be one of the highest fundraising revenue producing shows in the country. As a jazz educator, Jae taught jazz history, theory and percussion and directed the jazz big band and jazz combos at the Governors School for the Arts (Gifted high school students) in Norfolk for eight years. Jae was adjunct drumset and jazz ensemble instructor at Christopher Newport University for four years. He attended Norfolk State and Old Dominion Universities as a music education major. His instruments of choice are Sonor Designer, Sonor Vintage Series and Delite Series Drums and Sabian Cymbals. Jae is a Sonor drums and Sabian cymbals endorser.
Here is a listing of other extraordinary musicians Jae has performed with over the years. They include Branford and Ellis Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Mangione, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, Carol Sloane, Jon Hendricks, Randy Brecker, Scott Hamilton, Sean Jones, Jimmy Greene, James Moody, Kenny Drew Jr., Fred Hersch, Mulgrew Millew, James Williams, Jack Walwrath, Makoto Ozone, JoAnne Brackeen, Andrew White, Frank Morgan and many others.
Jae’s groups have performed at some of the major jazz festivals and clubs throughout the states and in Europe. Some of the major performances include: The Ella Fitzgerald Festival in Newport News Virginia -The University of Wyoming, Coe College, Iowa State University, Marciac Jazz Festival France, The M'Shop in Ames, Iowa and The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head S.C., Millersville University, Wayne State University, the Texas Jazz Festival, the Tucson Jazz Festival and Emory University in Atlanta and many more.
Contact Jae at: jae.sinnett@whrv.org
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Which jazz albums were Jae Sinnett's favorites this year? Check out his top-ten list. -
"When I hear of schools canceling or minimizing music curriculums, it truly makes me sad," says WHRV host and jazz musician Jae Sinnett. -
"Laced with truth, humor, hardship reflection, sarcasm and hope, the blues would eventually establish itself as the roots of most American genres that followed such as jazz and rock and roll." Jae Sinnett explores the history of American blues. -
WHRV Host and Jazz educator Jae Sinnett shares some lesser-known influential moments in Black History that had landscape-changing significance. -
Jae Sinnett offers his best of 2023 list. He says about his top pick: "I've listened to this artist since his 1990 release and not one single recording since has disappointed me. He's a brilliant composer, arranger and orchestrator. He hears it differently." See which albums made the list. -
Still working on your holiday menu? If you’re looking to put a twist on an old favorite classic, try the Jazzy Jae variety of the peanut butter cookie! -
"I recently wrapped up my second stint on the jazz faculty for the JazzWorks Canada Jazz Camp near Harrington, Quebec at the beautiful CAMMAC Arts Center. I get to teach some amazing students and perform with supremely gifted artists." WHRV's Jae Sinnett reflects on helping musicians learn to play jazz. -
"The most important part in all of this is that the student needs to focus on trusting their ears." WHRV's Jae Sinnett explains why developing your hearing is the most important aspect of learning to play jazz. -
WHRV host Jae Sinnett is a busy guy--broadcaster, drummer, educator chef--how does he juggle it all? He says it requires focusing on what is most important to you. -
"When I became a serious listener of jazz and a musician, it was a bit overwhelming. I didn't understand the improvisational aspects, conceptual design or the complex rhythms."
