The MF Art of Listening

MF Art Of Listening Featuring - Musicians creating a musical conversation on the spot. Getting back to the original love of what draws musicians into music. Trusting the music and musicians to guide and discover what it means to improvise much in the same way we communicate verbally. Drummer extraordinaire Marcus Finnie assembles a unique group of very special artists for this show, comprised of elite session artists or musicians on tour in the Nashville vicinity. Featuring Marcus Finnie, Kevin Whalum, Dwayne Wright and Jody Nardone.
As a Memphis native and Nashville resident, Marcus Finnie has toured the world with Kirk Whalum, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Brett Eldredge, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Lady Antebellum, Larry Carlton, Donna Summer, India Arie, Kurt Elling, Billy Preston, Earl Klugh, Beegie Adair, Dave Koz and many others. Marcus has also recorded with Grammy and Stellar Award nominated and winning artists’ Jacob Whitesides, Kent Lattimore, Ledisi, Andy Mineo, Kirk Whalum, Keb Mo & Taj Mahal, India Arie, Joss Stone, Butch Walker, Charlie Peacock, Michael McDonald, and several others.
Kevin Whalum, younger brother of noted jazz saxman Kirk Whalum, grew up in Memphis in the shadow of Olivet Baptist Church, where his father served as pastor. The church, known as a magnet for great singers and musicians became a centerpiece of Kevin’s life as a youngster, creating both a religious and a musical foundation for him. A popular live and session vocalist in Nashville, Kevin appeared on several of his brother Kirk’s albums and has released two solo albums, "Timetable" and "One Life To Love." Whether covering soul, jazz, scat or gospel, Whalum's smooth, sweet voice makes him one of the most exciting artists around. Legendary jazz keyboardist and producer George Duke once described vocalist Kevin Whalum as "butter". Kevin now has three solo albums under his belt: the self-produced solo debut, Timetable (2002); the George Duke-produced, One Life To Love (2008); and the new self-produced, I Live For You (2016). Although Kevin eschews any effort to force him into a category or genre, he freely admits to defining himself as "primarily a jazz vocalist who just happens to be a Christian". He exhorts "I hope I never agree to be just one thing. A true artist never wants that. I have been-and will remain-free to explore the musical universe. There’s too much out here to stay locked into one soundscape forever..."
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Dwayne Wright started playing the bass guitar at age 14, and before long he was touring the country with his father, Reverend Timothy Wright. After years of playing in church, he ventured out into gospel music and other genres. Wright has played or toured with artists including the Backstreet Boys, Beyoncé, Eminem, The Roots, Future, Flo Rida, Nelly, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake, to name just a few. He has also worked with a number of these artists as a producer and session musician. A Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award–winning songwriter and producer, he coproduced “Hear This” on Kierra “Kiki” Sheard’s award-winning release, This Is Me. In 2010, Wright embarked on a solo career with the release of his debut album, Unbreakable, which has been met with rave reviews from peers and fans alike.
Born and raised in New Jersey, it was in junior high school that Jody Nardone began his life long love affair with jazz. Nardone attended William Paterson University of NJ, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Performance. Jody studied with Rufus Reid, Joe Lovano, Jim McNeely, Norman Simmons and Harold Mabern. Nardone also spent a summer studying with pianist/educator and jazz guru Kenny Werner, which he refers to as "a life changing experience." Nardone was awarded the jazz department’s Outstanding Senior award at graduation, and was a member of the school's New Jazz Ensemble, which was awarded first place in the 1991 DownBeat magazine student music awards. Nardone has performed with countless artists such as jazz legends Clark Terry, Jon Faddis, Larry Carlton, Dave Valentin and Rufus Reid, as well as saxophonists Jeff Coffin of The Dave Matthews Band and Rahsaan Barber & Everyday Magic, trumpeter Rod McGaha, drummer Chester Thompson and jazz chanteuse Annie Sellick. "Thanks to a dynamic style that can shift from the whispered beauty of Bill Evans to the percussive flights of McCoy Tyner, Nardone has emerged as one of Nashville's preeminent jazz pianists. His reputation is also blowing up nationwide, where he is receiving raves in Downbeat and Jazziz for his role in the Crimson Jazz Trio, a Nashville-to-L.A. combo led by former King Crimson drummer Ian Wallace and former Vital Information bassist Tim Landers." - Michael McCall of The Nashville Scene

This show is 21 and over only. All sales are final and we unfortunately cannot offer any refunds. Additional tickets may be available at the door on the day of the show even if it is sold out online.

Please try to arrive 15 minutes prior to the show start time. If you do not arrive within 45 minutes after the show start time on your ticket your seat may be resold to other patrons at the door. If you arrive after 45 minutes from the start time of the show and your ticket has been resold, although we cannot guarantee it, we will try our best to make space for you to attend the show.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rudy's Jazz Room, 809 Gleaves Street, Nashville, United States