Jazz Articles about Bennett Paster

Bennett Paster & Gregory Ryan: Grupo Yanqui Rides Again

by John Barron
January 25, 2009

A shared love for Latin music is what drives the partnership headed by pianist Bennett Paster and acoustic/electric bassist Gregory Ryan, known as Grupo Yanqui. Formed in 2001, the like-minded associates combine the musical influences of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms with an American jazz perspective. Grupo Yanqui Rides Again, the ensemble's second release, features clever composing and arranging from the two leaders along with first-rate musicianship.

There's an abundance of energy emanating from this disc. The opening “Tones for Jones ...

Bennet Paster & Gregory Ryan: Grupo Yanqui Rides Again

by Michael P. Gladstone
October 3, 2008

This album is a winning effort that presents urban Latin jazz, led by pianist Bennett Paster and bassist Gregory Ryan. Grupo Yanqui Rides Again is a solid interpretation of mostly original material proffered up by the leading duo. The album contains the combination of Latin ideas and the talent of saxophonist Chris Cheek and trumpeter/flugelhornist/percussionist Alex Norris. In addition, hand percussionist Gilad certainly adds the flair of Latin jazz to the sound. For those not previously fond ...

Bennett Paster and Gregory Ryan: Grupo Yanqui

by C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2002

Some of the Best things are Self-Produced...

Grupo Yanqui (pronounced Group-o Yan key) is headed by the young New Yorkers Bennett Paster and Gregory Ryan. These guys play a brand of jazz that is very much in your head. It is erudite and inventive and very, very listenable. Gregory Ryan's “Miller Time" is a Lee Morgan “Cornbread" Hard Bop played with a Bobby Watson Latin flare. Other Latinesque tones come from Bennett Paster's “Mona Se Queda" and the standard ...