Born
in Los Angeles, California, Rastine attended Locke High School, noted for its
musical
excellence. Locke alumni also include fine musicians such as Patrice Rushen,
Gerald
Albright, Ndugu Chancellor and recording artist, Tyrese. While at Locke, Rastine
studied
saxophone and performed with the school's jazz band, concert band and wind
ensemble,
as well as playing with some of the local big bands. While a senior at Locke,
Rastine
received the Most Outstanding Musician Award and won a competition enabling
him
to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival backing jazz greats such as John Lewis,
Woody
Herman and Mundell Lowe. Rastine attended Southern University where he studied
jazz,
woodwinds, arranging and composition under the direction of legendary music
Professor and clarinetist, Alvin Batiste. Rastine’s first touring experience was with the
Four Tops, and he went on to tour with Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Marvin Gaye,
the Gap Band, James Ingram, Diane Reeves, Sheena Easton, Patrice Rushen and
Gladys Knight among others. In addition to touring
and performing, Rastine has also
performed
studio recordings with many of these artists. Though alto, tenor, soprano
saxophone,
flute and clarinet are considered to be Rastine's primary instruments,
he
is also noted for his skills as a wind controller specialist, producer, and is often
hired
to play saxophone, double on keyboards and wind controller as
second and third
instruments. Rastine is also a composer, arranger and producer
who's work has been
featured
in films such as “Hoodlums” starring Lawrence Fishburn and Andy Garcia,
“Life” starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, “The
Little Death” starring J.T. Walsh,
“Kissing Jessica”starring
Jennifer Westfeldt, and the television shows “Felicity” and “Crossing Jordan”. He has also been involved in production and digital editing for recording labels such as
Capitol Records,RCA, BMG, Loud, and many independent companies.
Rastine created and ran a successful jazz and creative music program at Ribet’
Academy, a private college preparatory
school located in Los Angeles, California,
where he taught music including jazz, theory,
composition, soloing and performance
for four years.
Currently, Rastine
continues to perform, write, record, tour, teach and produce for various
recording artists, including under his own name.
