DJ Rice

DJ Rice
 Odd Man Out



Featuring Michael Dease, Ben Patterson, Rosana Eckert



Featuring music presented at the 2025 Jazz Education Network Conference



 

"Great set of music by DJ Rice. Beautiful writing and a swinging band. DJ has a deep understanding of the jazz tradition and its evident in these charts. This is a great listen. Beautiful singing as well by Rosana Eckert!" -Marshall Gilkes, Chair of Jazz & Contemporary Media - Eastman School of Music

(-Rob Quote)


(-Annie Booth)

"After listening to DJ Rice's debut big band album, two words came to mind: Sincerity and Confidence. While many modern jazz ensemble albums put up a veil of irony or even dismissal toward the audience, DJ's music invites you to listen. The charts gently guide the listener as they wind through twists and turns, never sacrificing the groove. At its essence, this is an extremely listenable album. So take the time to listen. You won't regret it." -Tyler Mire - Multiplayer Big Band, Arranger, Army Field Band

(Ken Ebo)



 

1. Open for Business - 6:18 (Rosana Eckert, Matthew Babineaux, Chris Van Leeuwen, Will St. Peter, Colman Burks)


2. Chloe’s Blues - 5:40 (Michael Dease, Tomás Jonsson)


3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - 5:18 (Natalie Wagner)


4. My Shining Hour - 5:23 (Rosana Eckert, Michael Morrison, Chris Borin, Colman Burks)


5. Odd Man Out - 9:34 (Will St. Peter, Matthew Babineaux, Chris Borin, Will Nathman, Ben Patterson, Colman Burks)


6. Lies of Handsome Men - 6:05 (Rosana Eckert, Brian Stark)


7. Blues in Season - 6:43 (Brian Stark, Tony Baker, Miles Roth, Tomás Jonsson, Kai Wagner, Colman Burks)

8. Periphery - 6:39 (Will St. Peter, Natalie Wagner, Colman Burks)


9. Slide’s Ride - 7:21 (DJ Rice, Michael Dease, Tony Baker, Ben Patterson, Ken Ebo, Tomás Jonsson, Colman Burks)


 

This record is a culmination of my time spent in Texas. The friends I’ve made over the last decade made putting together an of this caliber not only possible, but easy. Fresh off the band’s performance at the 2025 JEN Conference, we recorded everything we performed at that show plus a couple of songs that we originally didn’t have time for. The music is ambitious, diverse, and showcases musicianship of the highest level from some of my favorite people on earth.




 

Thank you to: 

All of my mentors who have had lent a helping hand in my musical journey, including but not limited to: Ben Patterson, Tony Baker, Nick Finzer, Michael Dease, Rob Parton, and Rich DeRosa.



 

The band for doing such a great job with every note they played. None of this is possible without them.



 

My friends who continue to push me to be a better player and writer, including but not limited to: Jack Courtright, Nick Mailes, Garrett DeRudder, Brian Lawrence, Gregory Newman, and Will Ward.



 

My mom for her never-ending supply of emotional support with every step I’ve taken.

 

Everybody who donated to my Indiegogo campaign. We got fully funded and that money is the primary reason this record can see the light of day.



 

And finally, thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy listening to the music as much as we did recording it.