Drummer and composer Tommy Whiteside took the stage at the Rosebud Theatre to unveil his original jazz album, Nana’s Piano. This debut wasn’t just a personal milestone for Whiteside; it also highlighted the vibrant music scene in Roseburg.
“It all kind of happened within two blocks of each other,” Whiteside explained about the album’s creation process. “I hope others see this as a model to release their own music.”
On Saturday, Whiteside performed the six-track album with the original ensemble at the newly opened Rosebud Theatre in downtown Roseburg. This marked the venue’s fourth show since opening, where Whiteside is also a staff member.
The all-acoustic ensemble featured Nathaniel Keller on alto and tenor saxophone, Matthew Krepky on tenor saxophone, Trevor Thompson on trombone, Josh DiStefano on piano, Judah Sensabaugh on upright bass, and Whiteside himself on drums.
For bassist Judah Sensabaugh, contributing to Nana’s Piano was both a personal and professional milestone.
“Recording the album this summer was surreal. It’s my first fully recorded and released album,” Sensabaugh said before the show. “We’re excited to play for friends, family, and community members at the Rosebud. I haven’t performed here since it was The Sunnyside.”
Trombonist Trevor Thompson echoed the excitement, noting the collaborative spirit of the recording process.
“For me, as someone who’s not a big jazz improviser, playing with such phenomenal musicians was a real treat,” Thompson shared. “Roseburg has no shortage of talent, but having a central spot like this to gather, play, and listen is invaluable.”
With a capacity of fewer than 100 people, the Rosebud Theatre provides an intimate setting for live performances. This close-knit atmosphere aligns with the album’s personal and reflective themes, many of which draw from Whiteside’s life experiences.
The album’s title track, Nana’s Piano, is a tender homage to Whiteside’s great-grandmother and her antique Kimball spinet piano, which he played as his grandmother sang. Today, that piano resides in the ballroom of Way Back Recording, the local studio where the album was composed, recorded, produced, and mixed.
Other tracks reflect on nature’s power and beauty. For instance, Red Moon captures the anxious intensity of Southern Oregon’s wildfires, while Saturn offers a sweeping tribute to the grandeur of the planet.
“The album celebrates the days we remember people and the things we’ve shared,” Whiteside said. “It’s about the playfulness and heaviness of life’s experiences, which, when viewed from afar, are just good stories.”
The performance drew a full house, with approximately 85-90 attendees. Among them was Ed Cox, who expressed excitement about the return of live jazz to Roseburg after the venue’s previous incarnation as The Sunnyside Theatre.
“We’re big jazz fans, and it’s great to see the venue reopen,” Cox said. “It’s wonderful to have jazz in town again.”
Released the same day as the show, Nana’s Piano is now available on all major streaming platforms.
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