Listen by Jae Sinnett

Sinnett’s idea of combining some of his musical influences such as classic-soulful 60’s and 70’s R&B and Rock, with the sophisticated musical complexity of Jazz, has enabled him to produce his most creative, fun and challenging project to date. Featuring saxophonist sensation Chris Potter, pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell, Jae's music is enhanced with their versatility, extraordinary musicianship and grace.

"An emphasis is on sleek, sophisticated, New York `90's-style repertoire, offered with a feeling. He's a lively, not overly loud drummer, and the band shines."

--Howard Mandel, Downbeat

"Also an accomplished composer, Sinnett lets his formidable chops speak for the music first and foremost. Pianist guest star Cyrus Chestnut unleashes a high-energy complement to Sinnett's driving style."

--Jeff Potter, Modern Drummer

"Altogether, this could have been a night at the Village Vanguard in New York. The music was certainly strong enough for that hallowed venue. It's what jazz has become in the `90s, and it is encouraging."

--Owen Cordle, The News and Observer, Raleigh, N.C.

"Listen boasts a stellar lineup...Chestnut infuses the music with his typically buoyant touch...the horns are colorfully deployed not only on the Sinnett compositions `Lemon's Aide' and `Lost After Found,' but also on the band's thoroughly engaging reprise of the pop standard `On the Sunny Side of the Street'...Sinnett provides a neat, efficient, crisp pulse with coloristic accents. The solos he contributes to the trio arrangements provide shape and texture as well as rhythmic momentum."

--Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

"Listen is a singing, swinging straight-ahead jazz record full of soaring melodies and expressive moments."

--Sam McDonald, The Daily Press, Norfolk, VA

"Drummer Jae Sinnett is in some ways a throwback to drummers of an earlier age. Although Listen is his own date and he wrote six of the nine selections, Sinnett sounds quite happy playing a supportive role behind the other players where his contributions are both tasteful and swinging...Superior modern mainstream music than can be easily enjoyed by straightahead jazz fans."

--Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene

"The common denominators are Sinnett and his multi-textured, rhythmically fresh compositions...'Lemon's Aide' find Davis summoning up the spirit of Cannonball Adderly...On `Lost After Found', D'earth sounds as if he were blowing with Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club...On `Coco B', the drummer's percussive assaults shake the landscape."

--David Simpson, The Virginian-Pilot

"Cyrus Chesnut, plays some sprawling, grand piano licks on the opening `Lemon's Aide,' a shufle in which Jumpin' Jae Sinnett presides over the sextet like a young Art Blakey...Trio pianist Allen Farnham and Sinnett play off each other rather impressively on `Coco B', which steps forward as the record's tour de force."

--Kent & Keith Zimmerman, Gavin

"The music's well crafted and enjoyable."

--Chris Kelsey, Cadence

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