Jae Sinnett Quintet Featuring Randy Brecker and Ada Rovatti at the Attucks Theater

Since the mid-'70s, when he came to this part of Southeastern Virginia to serve in the Navy, Jae Sinnett's name has become synonymous with excellent jazz drumming nationally and internationally. His first album as a leader, Obsession (Self Produced), was released in 1986 and featured Frank Foster, John Hicks, Wallace Roney, Steve Wilson and Clarence Seay. As either leader or sideman, he has appeared on countless albums since, many of which have featured his compositions, played by some of the world's leading jazz artists. Besides performing locally and internationally, Sinnett has produced and hosted a nightly public jazz radio show, "Sinnett in Session," for 31 years, and once a week presents "The R&B Chronicles."

Sinnett and his long-time bassist Terry Burrell have hosted a who's who of jazz artists in various venues in the area, such as Allen Farnham (Farnham is Sinnette's go-to pianist), Steve Wilson, Ellis Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Tierney Sutton, Ralph Bowen, Roberta Gambarini, Hans Glawischnig and more. Recently he shared the Attucks stage with Burrell, Farnham, and special guest trumpeter-flugelhornist Randy Brecker and saxophonist Ada Rovatti. Playing in front of a crowd of about 200, the sizzling quintet mixed two 45-minute sets with compositions by Sinnett, Farnham, Brecker, and Ravotti. Between Brecker's deep, rich tones, Ravotti's soaring melodies, Farnham's tasteful and energetic playing, Burrell's pulsating groove on acoustic and electric bass, and Sinnett's rhythmic excellence, the audience was in no rush to leave.

Following are photographs from that night.

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