Check out this write-up about Whaling City Sound in New Bedford's Local paper South Coast Today!

The long awaited double CD set of Gerry Gibbs Electric Thrasher Orchestra Plays the Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975 is finally here! Click here to find out about this project, and to listen to samples.

Congratulations to the Whaling City Sound artists who have been selected to appear on the 52nd Grammy Award list sent to voting members, and from which the final five Grammy nominees are selected:

Grand Army (Album of the Year - Toys for Chaos , Best New Artist)

Valrie Kantorski and Anne Pope Brahns: 21 Hungarian Dances (Best Chamber Music Performance, Best Classical Album)

Audrey Cienniwa and Paul Cienniwa Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba (Best Chamber Music Performance, Best Classical Album)

Mike Clinco, Neon (Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group, Best Improvised Jazz Solo) and on Mike's Neon CD Bob Sheppard (Best Improvised Jazz Solo)

Joe Beck and Laura Theodore Golden Earrings (Best Jazz Vocal Album).

Voting closed on October 9th, and nominees are announced in early December. Best of luck to all of the above. More info will be posted as it becomes available.

Check out the new music video "Johhny Guitar" by Beck & Thedore

8/30 Whaling City Sound – Conducting Conversations interview with label owner Neal Weiss. Hear the conversation at http://www.classical959.com/

An interesting article about Whaling City Sound and it's owner Neal Weiss in
The Standard Times.

Old News

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David “Fathead” Newman

David “Fathead” Newman passed away on January 20, 2009. It was my fortune to have associated with him in a small way. We played some concerts together, and we recorded two albums together. David was a great musician. His sound on all the saxophones and on the flute was warm and unique. When he stepped forward to take his turn in the spotlight, he was instantly “on” – no fumbling around or indecision. David told me that when he was with Ray Charles people called him “the king of eight bars.” I guess that was excellent training. If the arrangement only gives a guy eight bars to say something, he better speak up right away!

David was a sweet personality. He was soft-spoken. He did not demand to be the center of attention – something that some musicians of his stature very well might do. Rather, he entered into collaborative relationships and looked for ways to add his special talents to a project to make it more artistic. He arrived asking the question: “What can I do to make this better, to help you out?”

David was also firm when he needed to be. He was in the music business for a long time, and learned a lot of its lessons. He figured out what worked for him and he held the line. He would not enter into arrangements that did not meet the high standards he had for the way he would be treated. David told me “no” a few times and I would later realize he had been right to require more of the situation.

David Newman added something special to my music. His was a personal voice and he gifted his uniqueness to my recordings. I’ll have that forever. He was a gentle man, an interesting man, a supremely talented man, and he gave me something I will treasure for the rest of my life. I can only imagine what his loss means to his closest friends and family. My deepest condolences to them!

John Stein

What Program Directors and Music Directors at National Jazz Radio are saying about Whaling City Sound:



"quality of WCS is a given and will most likely always be added to our rotation"

- Lester A. French Jr., Jazz Director / WMEB 91.9FM Orono, ME


"Whaling City Sound has always been a reliable resource for new voices in Mainstream Jazz."

- B.H. Hudson / WNCU - Raleigh, NC


"There are many record labels based in New England, but Whaling City Sound is the cream of the crop. They're not only documenting the original jazz emanating from New England, but delivering that music to the world in a tight, pleasing and progressive package. There's not a week that goes by without a Whaling City Sound disc being heard on New England's Jazz And Folk Station. Keep wailin' Whaling City Sound!!!"

- Joe Zupan / WICN - Worcester, MA


"Consistently in recent years Whaling City Sound has provided this station and the music rich Nashville market an impressive, expressive roster of talent including many of whom we're presently playing (Moretti, Beck, Leibman,Monteiro & Robitaille). It's a welcome, viable alternative to the steady flow of music from the "3 coasts'".

- Greg Lee / WMOT- Nashville, TN


"Over the past few years we have come to truly appreciate the releases from Whaling City Sound. Whaling City has consistenly provided us with great releases that we have been happy to share with our listeners. Whaling City Sound has been a constant on our playlists, and reported on our top ten lists. Keep the music flowing!"

- Ken Irwin / WMUA - Amherst, MA


"In a world where it seems that even jazz musicians want to be "rock stars"; where the hype precedes the accomplishments or dues-paying; where the popularity of a musician's work can be determined or even manipulated by the most superficial means, Whaling City Sound has quietly, stubbornly, turned out recordings of substance, artistry, and grace, that satisfy the heart and soul of anybody with a pair of ears and a brain between them."

- Chris Sampson / WHUS - Storrs, CT


"I appreciate the high quality of Whaling City Sound recordings. They have a rich diversity of artists, and they capture the full array of jazz varieties. From swing, to bebop, great jazz vocalists, and instrumentalists. Whaling City Sound leaves nothing to the jazz imagination."

- Renee Williams / WCLK - Atlanta, GA


"As Music Director for one of the few remaining full-time jazz stations in the USA, I look forward to receiving Whaling City CDs. They are nicely packaged with all the necessary information about the contents easily accessed by our on-air hosts and their music covers straight-ahead, edgy, vocals and Latin which are all part of our daily jazz programming."

- Arturo Gómez / KUVO - Denver, CO


"Whaling City Sound time and time again has sent me great product. I know what to expect when one of their CDs comes across my desk: quality sound, packaging and most of all - great jazz! Keep up the good work!"

- Michael A.Valentine / WDNA - Miami, FL


"I always await new releases from Whaling City Sounds with anticipation. With his label, Neal Weiss consistently provides excellent music to the jazz enthusiast and it's easy to love introducing listeners to his artists and the bright moments he captures."

- Mark Rynearson / DMX - Worldwide


"Whaling City has done a tremendous job of documenting the art and genius of the top performers in New England. Their recordings are consistently engaging and entertaining and the packaging and promotion reflect the excellence of the product. They are one of a handful of labels that seem driven to make each release special and we all have benefited from their efforts."

- Will Kinnally / Music Choice - Worldwide


"From listening to a number of their albums over the years...it is pretty clear to me that Whaling City Sound and its impressive roster of artists have one very important philosophy and that is to satisfy the demands of a jazz audience hungry for quality."

- Eric Cohen / WAER - Syracuse, NY


"Whaling City is one of a handful of labels that I look forward to every release that they put out. I appreciate their commitment to quality music and progressive artists. It is small labels like Whaling City in which I believe the future of recorded jazz music will be dependent upon - with major labels cutting back their rosters in a big way. Thank goodness for Whaling City and other independent labels that are supporting the art and fostering deserving artists"

- Brad Stone / KSJS - San Jose, CA