The Music – Jeff Whalen


Jeffrey Whalen with his alto saxMusic was such a big part of Jeff Whalen’s life.  Jeff not only played, but wrote music quite often.  He used Finale Music Notation Software; he frequently said “It’s a great improvement over paper and pencil.”

Jeff made frequent use of this website [ jazzarrangingclass.com ] for arranging Jazz and always recommended it to others:

The #1 book that Jeff claimed influenced his playing the most was Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within
Here is the author with a few words:

Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner: The 4 Steps How to Play Jazz Videos Jazz Improvisation Lesson

Interested in where to find Jazz in NYC? Here are Jeff’s favorite haunts:
Whalen was a part of the Bensen-Scott Big Band. While Jeff played with various different bands throughout his life, his favorite was the Big Band.

Here are some articles of Jeff playing with the Big Band. So good, it made the papers!

Whalen plays with Big Band

Whalen plays for Veterans

Justin Veatch wrote an extraordinary song, Can’t Afford The Color. Jeff Whalen played as a soloist. Here we have a video of Can’t Afford The Color as played by the Bensen-Scott Big Band.

Please visit the www.thejustinveatchfund.org

Here are a few articles, listings and favorite venues from some of the projects Jeffrey Whalen was involved with:
Robert began as a kid singing and playing bass guitar with his blues-singing … Peekskill, NY See Map … Our group consists of five (that’s right) musicians including Jeff Whalen (alto sax, … Swing/Jump, Big Band, 12 Grapes Music & Wine Bar)
Peekskill, NY – Our talented musicians included Jeff Whalen (alto sax, music teacher at Yorktown’s Crompond Elementary School), Charles Racioppo … 12 Grapes has moved our once-monthly Kids Open Mic to the third SUNDAY of each month. … Bring your guitar, bass, sax, flute or whatever instrument you play.
This Philadelphia-based roots revivalist duo plays six and twelve-string guitars, slide guitar, harmonica and … Latin, Jazz, and Blues, The Peekskill Coffee House …. Rock (classic), 12 Grapes Music & Wine Bar ….. The members of the combo are in the Yorktown High School Jazz Band, where Jeff Whalen is co-director.
THE ECHOES OF SINATRA BAND consists of professional musicians who … Symphony performing at colleges, libraries, The Rainbow Room and Lincoln Center … River Jazz Orchestra, Benson-Scott Big Band and the Big Bang Jazz Gang.
New York Post
May 9, 2015 – To the beat of a big band, couples swing dance on the revolving dance … Starting in July, the Rainbow Room will instead serve an a la carte …

Here are some links where you can find Jeff Whalen’s music online:

Play on Amazon

Muzofox – “Can’t Afford the Color”

Muziva – “Can’t Afford the Color”

Open up on Spotify

Whalen had a blast attending the First Ever Berklee Reunion in 2014:

Here is a sampling of Naima and Amazing Grace from Jeff Whalen’s memorial service.