Jeff Whalen – The Music


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. Whalen used the ol’ paper-n-pencil method before finally transitioning to the following software:

Here is a link for a good online jazz arranging site that Jeff liked:
jazzarrangingclass.com

One of Jeffrey’s favorite books that influenced his playing was:
Here is the author of that book:

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

Although Jeffrey was a part of many different bands and ensembles over his lifetime, he most consistently performed with the Bensen-Scott Big Band.

Here are two articles of Jeffrey playing with the Big Band:

Jeffrey Whalen plays for Veterans

Jeffrey Whalen plays with Big Band

Here is a video of the Bensen-Scott Big Band performing Jeffrey Whalen’s arrangement of Justin Veatch’s extraordinary song, Can’t Afford The Color. Jeffrey Whalen: soloist

Please visit the www.thejustinveatchfund.org

Here are a few articles and 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 Jeffrey Whalen’s music online:

https://play.spotify.com/track/6fC0DvXXbjOXEqfcfNJeAh?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

http://www.muzofox.eu/mp3/can_t_afford_the_color_bensen_scott_big_band

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B008BSD99M/278-5008314-8170301?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

http://www.muviza.net/lagump3-cant-afford-the-color-the-bensen-scott-big-band-arranged-by-jeff-whalen-237417510.xhtml

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

Here is an audio clip of some music performed at Jeff’s memorial service.  Naima and Amazing Grace: