(Jae Sinnett suits-up to build a jazz legacy for Hampton Roads. Photo courtesy of Jae Sinnett.
By Jeff Maisey
While the Hampton Roads region — known as Tidewater back in the day — gave birth to the great vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and saxophonist/arranger Tommy Newsom, perhaps no one in this southeastern corner of Virginia has done more to elevate the popularity of traditional jazz music than Jae Sinnett.
From composing and recording some 15-plus studio and live albums and garnering chart-topping radio play nationwide to performing with his quartet and gracing the local stage with giants in his field, the multi-award-winning Sinnett, who also hosts/programs a jazz radio show on WHRV-FM, has launched a new project that’ll enhance the lives of music enthusiasts and provide an intellectual fertile soil to grow jazz for decades to come.
To learn more about Sinnett’s Hampton Roads Jazz Incorporated, I caught up with him for the following Q&A.
VEER: In 2016, you released the critically-acclaimed “Zero to 60” album. As I recall, it was about that time period where you shared it might be time to take a break from jazz. Your next studio album recording — a passion project, I imagine — explored R&B/funk as well as your first foray out front as a singer. What brought your focus back to traditional jazz as a composer, musician, and performer?
Jae Sinnett: Well, that jazz focus never left. I simply got frustrated at the time with the jazz recording business. Not the playing part but the business of it all. You put out a spectacular artistic project and folks in radio are debating to play it or not because of a 16-bar drum solo. Or not enough “familiar” material. In my view, and whether they realize it or not, it’s minimizing your artistic voice. Similar thing with many cherry picking songs off a record on iTunes instead of delving into the entire project to experience the particular conceptual intentions the artist presents with the music. Yes, it’s a frustrating industry and at that time it hit me hard, but I never lost my focus or appreciation for playing and teaching this great music. When I decided to record jazz again, I simply refined my expectations.
VEER: What was the impetus behind forming Hampton Roads Jazz, Incorporated?
Jae Sinnett: Decades ago, at one point, I was president of the long-ago defunct Hampton Roads Jazz Society. We did some great things, but we went about it the wrong way in hindsight. I wanted to make sure my vision for HR JAZZ INC was clear and organized before I delved into this process again. As with years ago, there remains voids in the local jazz scene and communities. There aren’t enough quality performance opportunities in Hampton Roads and with seven cities, we certainly have much room to present more. There aren’t enough jazz educational outlets for aspiring young or adult jazz student talent to learn about this amazing music. I want students to have a greater variety in where they get the information. I would like to see much more diversity in who’s playing the music and with those coming to see who’s playing. The jazz audience locally is overwhelmingly white and the same with the musicians. We need more diversity in expanding the growth potential of the jazz supporting base and having a more diversified jazz fan and musician foundation will only make the situation better in terms of potential revenue, marketing viability and with corporate support and grant funding opportunities. One of my big objectives with the organization is ultimately produce the HR JAZZ INC JAZZ FESTIVAL throughout the seven cities over a week or two period. That’s a lofty goal but if you think small, you stay small.
VEER: Who is on the board of directors and what is your role?
Jae Sinnett: The board for Hampton Roads Jazz Incorporated is Regina Brayboy, President, Performance Centered Consulting LLC. Keith H. Newby, M.D. Cardiologist. McKinley L. Price, DDS and former mayor of Newport News. Randy Gilliland, Director of Philanthropy Equal Justice America and Daniel Boothe, Music Director and Conductor for Symphonicity. Each of these brilliant individuals are movers and shakers in the communities. They are highly respected and share in the vision I have for Hampton Roads Jazz Incorporated. Not to mention they are all jazz lovers! Profoundly grateful to have them…on board…with HRJ INC. My position is as President.
VEER: When I visited Phoenix, Arizona, I attended a concert at The Nash, named for jazz drummer Lewis Nash. The Nash is a non-profit that offers educational programs, workshops, and summer jazz camps for students. It also serves as a ticketed concert club, which generates additional revenue from beer/wine sales during performance times. Lewis Nash often performs with headlining jazz acts at the venue. Is your business model similar?
Jae Sinnett: Well, I know Lewis and that is a beautiful scene they’ve created out there but that took time to get there. I can envision HR JAZZ INC evolving into a similar situation with a home venue and such but that’s way down the road. For now, we will use multiple venues to present and showcase area jazz talent and nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz artists front and center. Also, because we are a 501C3 non-profit organization we will look for various ways to produce revenue. Grant funding, donations, fundraising events, sponsorships and merchandise sales eventually.
VEER: In your list of goals for the organization, do you plan on having funding and staff for a permanent, physical location?
Jae Sinnett: This is a down the road prospect. There are several things that need to be established before we get to that point. First of which is getting HR JAZZ INC to a point of being an established and successful non-profit jazz presenter.
VEER: How will you incorporate jazz composition and studio recording as elements?
Jae Sinnett: I would like to see at some point, recording possibilities for some artists that appear for HR JAZZ INC events. With their permission of course. This is one of many sidebar possibilities the organization with research. I like the idea of having HR JAZZ INC presents so and so live at so and so on disc. The main intentions being to help the visibility of the artists and producing revenue possibilities for the organization.
VEER: In 2019, you curated a jazz series at the American Theatre featuring vocalist Queen Esther Marrow, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, and trumpeter Randy Brecker.
In a Veer Magazine interview with writer Michael Curry to preview the event, you said, “First and foremost, we want to present world-class talent for the community in a classy venue,” and explained, “In putting the series in place, we had to consider all sorts of factors including who would work well in the 400-seat venue and, of course, more importantly who would work well together.”
Was this short concert series a preview of what you hope to present in 2024 as the Phoebus Jazz Festival at The American Theatre?
Jae Sinnett: Yes, absolutely. This is another major project I see for HR JAZZ INC. We were in the process of producing the second Phoebus Jazz Festival in 2020 and all hell broke loose with Covid and the pandemic. Shut everything down as you know. Now that things have gotten back to some semblance of normalcy, HR JAZZ INC is in the process of seeking funding to produce the second Phoebus festival hopefully in the spring of 2024.
VEER: From your social media posts, I get the impression you really want more young people to embrace traditional jazz and to make a commitment to perfecting their skills as musicians, while also understanding the history and legacy of the musical art form. True?
Jae Sinnett: True, indeed. It’s a beautiful thing to see young musical talent immersed into jazz studies. They need guidance. Direction. From various sources. One perspective is simply that…one perspective. I want HR JAZZ INC to help kids – particularly in underserved communities to get visibility and guidance. Help with more with more access to their jazz education. I also envision HR JAZZ INC getting into a position of to potentially offer scholarships to some of the kids that are excelling.
VEER: Will it be important to tie your “Jae Sinnett” brand to the non-profit organization? How will this impact your performance relationship with the Virginia Arts Festival?
Jae Sinnett: I guess with me as President I can’t escape putting some of the Sinnett brand on it. Ha! Why not. I’ve done this a long time and I’ve had great success. I respect my vision but then again, it’s not just my vision. I talk with folks all the time that offer me insight. Regina Brayboy is one of these people. She’s helped me tremendously. Such a brilliant visionary and I’m honored to have her on the board with the others. HR JAZZ INC is an organization that is dedicated to the promotion and perseverance of jazz music. We’re all things jazz and while the VAF produces jazz events they aren’t all jazz. I’ve spoken with VAF Director Rob Cross to make sure we don’t clash with dates and such. Rob is a friend and we both respect and value each other’s work. HR JAZZ INC is just about jazz.
VEER: Will the organization work with the jazz music departments at Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Old Dominion University?
Jae Sinnett: If they’re willing to work with us. We’re in. Certainly, mutually beneficial.
VEER: What relationships could be developed with public school systems and beginning at what age/grade?
Jae Sinnett: The age question is a great question. A complex one actually. I’m not totally sure but I’m leaning towards middle school and up for what I envision. I would like many of the artists we bring in to perform to come into some of the schools and offer the music students masterclasses, clinics, workshops, lectures and guest artist performances. We have a wonderful opportunity here to make a difference in this kids’ lives. That might me a model for requirements for HR JAZZ INC bookings. The artist HR JAZZ INC brings his to perform must give a workshop or masterclass. I see this happening and embrace it totally. With many of the grants this is profoundly important anyway. As is the diversity issue.
VEER: The logo design for Hampton Roads Jazz, Inc features black letters on a gold background. It’s reminiscent of your album cover color scheme on “The Sinnett Hearing.” The use of color in a logo or brand communicates with a viewer. What was your strategic thinking on the use of gold and black?
Jae Sinnett: Well I’m from Western Pennsylvania and you see the Steelers play in that gold and black. Ha! My high school colors have gold in the mix. I’ve used some bit of gold in many things either consciously or subconsciously. Gold has always been one of my favorite colors and black too. Together I think they create nice visual layers…depending on how they’re used. I thought a circular design would be somewhat unique and bringing the word “Jazz” out front makes it hopefully, catchy.
VEER: The logo also seems perfect for use on the bass/kick drum for HR Jazz, Inc live performances. Will this be the case?
Jae Sinnett: Ha! Now I didn’t think of that one but what a great idea. You’re right, it’s perfect for a bass drum front head. Will be on the things to do menu soon.
VEER: How can people support Hampton Roads Jazz, Incorporated?
Jae Sinnett: Well, we need to raise money to produce these events. We have a grant writer that is busy working on funding sources in that regard. We’re also asking for donations and looking for sponsorships from businesses and individuals. You can visit HRJAZZ.ORG to make a tax deductible donation or inquire about sponsorships. Thank you for your support!
