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Benito Gonzalez
Presently, Benito is creating a very personal body of work for his sophomore album as a leader that will feature him as an improviser. After two years touring with international jazz artist, Kenny Garrett, he added numerous festivals and international jazz club dates to his credit. Benito has shared the stage with Curtis Fuller, Pharaoh Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Christian McBride, Ignacio Berroa, Roy Hargrove, Rene McLean, Steve Turre, Hamiet Bluiett, Antonio Sanchez, T.K. Blue, Nicholas Payton and Jackie Mclean.
His multi-cultural talents have led to frequent recording dates; from American jazz masters to West African musicians to Latin bands. He has also served as musical director for several Venezuelan recording artists.
The Benito Gonzalez Trio has appeared at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival in addition to many other noted jazz venues.
Awards
2005 Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, Awarded the Emerging Artist Grant from the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities in 2003.
Gear
Steinway grand piano.
Tags
Deelee Dube: Trying Times
by Chris M. Slawecki
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 ...
read moreBenito Gonzalez: Sing To The World
by Jim Worsley
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. ...
read moreRay Blue: Work
by Edward Blanco
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 ...
read moreBenito Gonzalez: Passion Reverence Transcendence
by Mike Jurkovic
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 ...
read moreTake Five With Benito Gonzalez
by AAJ Staff
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 ...
read moreBenito Gonzalez Trio Features Saxophonist Ron Blake
by Matt Merewitz
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 ...
read moreDiscover The Magic Of The New Chicago Jazz Piano Festival
Source:
Jim Luce
Rhapsody in Blue, The Great American Songbook & The Music of McCoy Tyner Launch A Year-Long Celebration of the Rich History and Vibrant Future of Jazz Piano in Chicago March 29 & 30 at PianoForte Studios in Chicago. In the world of jazz piano, all roads lead to Chicago beginning on March 29th, as the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival begins its inaugural spring season at Pianoforte Studios with the centennial performance of the classic 1924 George Gershwin groundbreaking work, “Rhapsody ...
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Keys To Venezuela: Klavierhaus Shines The Spotlight On Venezuelan Jazz Pianists In July
Source:
Charles Carlini Presents
In celebration of Venezuela's Independence Day on July 5, Klavierhaus, New York City's premier fine piano showroom located at 790 11th Avenue at 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, is hosting a series of Venezuelan Jazz Piano performances throughout July. Produced by Jim Luce and Charles Carlini, the series will feature three of the finest Venezuelan pianists in New York City. The performances will begin on July 12 with Cesar Orozco, followed by Silvano Monasterios on July 19 and Benito ...
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Benito Gonzalez - Circles (Furthermore Recordings, 2010)
Source:
Music and More by Tim Niland
In the early and mid 1970's, pianist McCoy Tyner released a series of powerful modal jazz LP's that melded the fire of the “new thing" and the intricacy of traditional jazz. Pianist Benito Gonzalez explores similar terrain on his most recent album, supported by a potent group consisting of Myron Walden on alto and soprano saxophone, Ron Blake on tenor saxophone, Azar Lawrence on tenor saxophone, Christian McBride on bass and Jeff “Tain" Watts on drums. They come out firing ...
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Pianist Benito Gonzalez Releases His Sophmore Album, Circles, on Furthermore Recordings
Source:
CHC Network
Circles, the new recording by Venezuelan pianist Benito González, his second as a leader, speaks of an artist taking stock—as he moves forward. “This album for me marks a cycle that ends and another that begins," says González. “All my experiences are portrayed in this album." And what a remarkable journey it's been.
“Circles reflects everything I had been living in this cycle in my life." If the recording has a classic, 1960s sound, “it wasn't premeditated, but a reflection ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Benito Gonzalez
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Benito Gonzalez's birthday today!
JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY 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... more
Website | Photos | Articles
Follow Benito Gonzalez
Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box on your website ...
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Jazz Musician of the Day: Benito Gonzalez
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Benito Gonzalez's birthday today!
JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY 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... more
Website | Videos | Articles
Follow Benito Gonzalez @ AAJ
Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box on ...
read more
Benito Gonzalez at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in October
Source:
All About Jazz
The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival Presents: Benito Gonzalez The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Washington, DC Wednesday, October 1, 2008 6pm Free The Duke Ellington Jazz Festival is proud to present Benito Gonzalez at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage at 6pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Puerto Rican pianist and composer, Benito Gonzalez, is turning heads for his critically acclaimed debut album, “Starting Point" (featuring Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean, ...
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“The standout track here is a graceful “I’ll Remember April,” which features fiery soloing from pianist Benito Gonzalez." - Lucy Tauss, JazzTimes
“Gonzalez played with a vibrant and exciting style. Often during his aggressive solos he raised off the bench to get better leverage to pound out the notes…He showed his versatility by slowing the pace for the ballad.” - Dan MacDonald, Florida Times-Union
Primary Instrument
Piano
Location
New York City
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Benito teaches students privately in New York City. Videocasted lessons can be arranged to students anywhere in the world. For full information on Benito's studio, visit www.gonzalez.synthasite.com.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Benito has given masterclasses alongside jazz greats:
Artist Collective, Hartford, CT: Rene McLean
New Haven University, CT: Rene McLean
Howard University, DC: Rene McLean
George Washington University, DC: Antonio Sanchez
Photos
Concerts
Music
Videos
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Benito Gonzalez
Location: New York City
Instrument: Piano
Born: May 14, 1975
