Jazz Articles about Benito Gonzalez

Deelee Dube: Trying Times

by Chris M. Slawecki
September 5, 2021

Five years ago, the annual Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition named Deelee Dubé its first British winner and (2016) Sassy Award recipient, landing Dubé a spot at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and recording contract for this Concord Records debut. Trying Times marks a major label debut, but Deelee Dubé is no artistic novice. She started violin lessons when she was four and put together her first band when she was fourteen. Her 2016 release Tenderly was produced ...

Benito Gonzalez: Sing To The World

by Jim Worsley
May 7, 2021

Unbridled rhythmic fury fueled by a rich harmonic underbelly is the essence of Sing To The World. Pianist Benito Gonzalez has once again assembled a vibrant cast that flourishes on ten original creations. Inventive and energetic, the ensemble gels in the moment and establishes interplay with rich and intelligent conversation. The depth and articulation comes as no surprise, with reference to his previous works as a leader and the seven years Gonzalez spent as a member of Kenny Garrett's band. ...

Ray Blue: Work

by Edward Blanco
April 8, 2020

New York-based and bred, tenor saxophonist Ray Blue is no novice but a veteran player who has not received the accolades he so deserves. Perhaps after laying down and documenting an incredible volume of music on Work, the spotlight will shine a little brighter on this unheralded player. A composer and educator, as well as one of the most in-demand musicians in New York, Blue is a soulful performer, a full-throated sax man with a fluid and lyrical style which ...

Benito Gonzalez: Passion Reverence Transcendence

by Mike Jurkovic
August 17, 2018

In the grand, giving spirit of the master, pianist Benito Gonzalez, drummer Gerry Gibbs and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet hold absolutely nothing back and pull no punches on their exhilarating tribute to McCoy Tyner, Passion Reverence Transcendence. With each tune taped in a single take, the trio explodes with a bold and proclamatory rush. “Fly with the Wind" (originally written by Tyner for trio and strings in 1976) sets the bar high and never looks back. It's a ...

Benito Gonzalez: Circles

by AAJ Italy Staff
May 6, 2011

Circles è il secondo album da leader per il pianista venezuelano Benito Gonzalez, dopo il debutto del 2004 dal titolo Starting Points e dopo una nutrita fetta di carriera caratterizzata da lavori in qualità di sideman. Per l'occasione Gonzalez si avvale della collaborazione di una ritmica spettacolare, composta da Christian McBride al basso e Jeff “Tain" Watts alla batteria, mentre in prima linea si alternano tre saxofonisti dalla grande forza timbrica: Azar Lawrence, Myron Walden e Ron Blake. L'ensemble dà ...

Take Five With Benito Gonzalez

by AAJ Staff
January 7, 2008

Meet Benito Gonzalez: The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz make this passionate performer an audience favorite all over the world. Benito Gonzalez is being recognized as an exciting pianist and composer for his well-received debut album, Starting Point, (with Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean and Ron Blake) and as winner of the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition.Presently, Benito is creating a very personal body of work for his sophomore album as a leader that ...

Benito Gonzalez Trio Features Saxophonist Ron Blake

by Matt Merewitz
November 12, 2003

Halloween Night left Twins Jazz relatively empty; most opting for traditional Halloween parties. But that didn’t stop the Benito Gonzalez Trio and young tenor titan Ron Blake from blazing through two sets of forward-thinking originals and standards.

The Venezuelan pianist has made quite a name for himself, paying his dues on the D.C. scene since his arrival in 2001. He recently finished a two-year stint at the local “center for the preservation of jazz and blues,” HR-57. He has a ...