Chester Whitmore
Contact: codenamejag@aol.com

 (Artistic Director & Choreographer) - Dancing since 1974, Chester Whitmore originally studied to be a cinematographer. An encounter with famed tap dancer Fayard Nicholas changed his life. Eventually, Mr. Nicholas became his teacher and mentor.  Mr. Whitmore has been jumping ever since. Lately, he has been traveling around the world on tour as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and entertainer. He has performed with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Frank Foster, and the great Mile Davis.  Chester Whitmore’s choreography can be seen in music videos by Weird Al Yankovic, Teena Marie, Boys II Men, and Sugar Ray. The NAACP Image Awards (1989-1994), Soul of American Music, and Stellar Awards (Gospel Music Awards) show Mr. Whitmore’s versatility in choreographing for diverse groups, such as the Nicholas Brothers with Savion Glover, M.C. Hammer, Levert, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans, and in dance tribute to Dick Clark and The Artist (formerly known as Prince).

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       Jazz a la Carte - Good Samaritan Hospital - October 4th & 5th 2014
Chester has remained a prolific producer through his Vernacular Productions, enlivening the Los Angeles Music Scene through events such as Jazz a la Carte hosted by the Good Samaritan Hospital, which created a forum for the best and brightest Jazz Musicians in Los Angeles over the weekend of October 4th and 5th 2014. 

Featured entertainers and special guests at Jazz a la Carte included Obba Babatunde, Christopher Astoquillca, The Big Band Swing Express, The Cal Bezemer Trio, & Alec Marken and Sarah Aisha (Swing Dancers). 

Vernacular's Projects in Development
>The History of Black Dance In America
>Chester Whitmore teaches at Disciples of Funk Volume 1: House