Benny Powell

Basie All Stars: Live At Fabrik Vol. 1

by Chris May
March 13, 2023

Such are the glories of his band's recorded legacy from the 1930s through the 1950s, that the mere mention of Count Basie's name will trigger a Pavlovian response from his fan base. Like no other, the Count Basie Orchestra epitomised big-band swing at its most sublime; reefer fuelled, riff based, loose and louche Kansas City jazz that is irresistible even in 2023, a life-affirming antidote to the barbarity of DL-only albums, generative music and social media. Seasoned ...

Benny Powell: Nextep

by Andrew Velez
December 15, 2008

A whiff of glorious, old-time New Orleans jazz in “Free to be Me" jubilantly launches trombonist Benny Powell's Nextep. Yet be assured the set is no trip down nostalgia lane. A working musician since his early teens in New Orleans, bop loyalist and veteran sideman at hundreds of recording sessions with the likes of everyone from Count Basie and Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin and “Screamin'" Jay Hawkins, at 78, Nextep is Powell's bid to finally take well-earned center stage ...

Benny Powell: Trombone Titan

by Andrew Velez
October 30, 2008

Master trombonist, composer, occasional vocalist and actor, NEA Jazz Master Benny Powell was saluted in 2008 at the All Nite Soul at Saint Peter Church in New York, along with his fellow honoree, pianist Jane Jarvis. A working musician since his early teens in New Orleans and a veteran sideman on hundreds of recording sessions with the likes of Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, at 78 Powell is energetic, quick to laugh and looking ahead to what ...

Benny Powell: Nextep

by Dan McClenaghan
October 21, 2008

If Benny Powell doesn't sound familiar, he should be. He's recorded memorable work with Count Basie (a classic solo on “April in Paris") and on pianist Randy Weston's African Sunrise (Polygram Records, 1992). He's also been heard in countless recordings with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson, Sarah Vaughn and as part of Merv Griffin's TV show band. Certainly, Benny Powell is a versatile veteran jazz man.On Nextep, Powell assembles an ensemble of players of diverse backgrounds and ...

Benny Powell, Count Basie Trombonist, Dies at 80

Source: AAJ Staff
July 4, 2010

Benny Powell, a trombonist who performed or recorded with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Screamin' Jay Hawkins but who was best known for his long tenure with Count Basie's big band, died on June 26 in New York. He was 80. He died in a Manhattan hospital, apparently of a heart attack, shortly after undergoing spinal surgery, said Devra Hall Levy, a family spokeswoman. Mr. Powell spent most of his career as a sideman, but he made the most of ...
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Benny Powell Memorial Service Info

Source: Inverted Garden by Eric Benson
July 1, 2010

On Monday, July 12, New York's jazz community will gather at Saint Peter's Church on Lexington Avenue to celebrate the life of the late trombonist Benny Powell. Saint Peter's is known as the “Jazz Church," having a dedicated jazz ministry and a long tradition of hosting memorial services for the city's departed musical greats.

Info from DevraDoWrite (Devra Hall Levy), via Rifftides: The funeral will be held July 12, 7 PM Saint Peter's Church
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Benny Powell, 1930-2010

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
June 30, 2010

Benny Powell, the veteran trombonist, died last Saturday in New York. Born in New Orleans, Powell was treasured by his colleagues as a superb musician and teacher and as a gentleman who observed old-South standards of courtesy and consideration.

Among the bands that Powell graced were those of Count Basie, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Bill Holman, Benny Goodman, Duke Pearson and Terry Gibbs. Here he is playing the blues in the company of a few of his admiring colleagues: ...
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R.I.P. Benny Powell

Source: Inverted Garden by Eric Benson
June 29, 2010

Amid the bounty of great music in New York over the last two weeks, jazz has suffered three big losses: Bill Dixon (84-years-old, June 16), Fred Anderson (81-years-old, June 24), and now Benny Powell (80-years-old), whose death was announced on Saturday. I never heard Bill Dixon or Fred Anderson play, but I knew Powell's music well. His passing hits me with a more audible silence.

In August 2001, I saw Powell's friend and longtime employer Randy Weston perform at the ...
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The Sarah Hayes Trio Featuring Benny Powell Perform at Piano Due Friday, Feb. 12

Source: Michael Ricci
February 10, 2010

“Her song stylings exude personality and it's no wonder. This girl has charisma to spare. And with her innocent and unintentional naivet, she wins the hearts of all who experience her performance." -- Michael Andrew, Performer and Broadway Producer (The Nutty Professor) Vocalist Sarah Hayes takes the helm at Manhattan's newest music spot, the Palio Bar, to sing some of her favorite songs with some of her favorite musicians. She's joined by veteran players Benny Powell on Trombone, John Colianni ...
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The Jazz Session #140: Ben Powell

Source: Michael Ricci
February 4, 2010

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Jazz Pioneer Set to Forge 1st Jazz Twitter Nation!

Source: All About Jazz
May 26, 2009

Ever wonder what happens in a day in the life of a pioneer jazz master, who's worked alongside some of the top names in music history, including famed band leaders Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington and countless other legends of jazz and American popular music such as Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald in a career spanning several decades? Noted jazz pioneer Benny Powell is utilizing Twitter.com to bring long-time jazz fans, ...
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Benny Powell to Battle the Bones for Frankie Manning Birthday Celebration

Source: All About Jazz
May 13, 2009

Benny Powell will be featured in a special musical performance billed as the “Battle of the Bones" with fellow trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Art Baron, as part of the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival on the closing night of the Memorial Day weekend extravaganza being held in New York City May 21 - 25. Having taken center stage as headline performer; composer; educator and jazz advocate, many believe he is receiving well-deserved recognition for his contributions to the jazz community. Always ...
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Jazz Great Benny Powell is Now on Twitter!

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2009

For all fans, friends and professionals who have an interest in Benny Powell's music: Yes, the noted jazz luminary has joined the Twitter nation to keep the jazz community-at large both far and wide-abreast of his next step in jazz. Want to know whether he's gigging around town in NY, touring with Randy Weston, teaching his performance ensemble class at the New School, promoting his current CD Nextep or just practicing on his trombone? To follow what he's doing, check ...
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Interview: Benny Powell (Part 3)

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
December 4, 2008

Part 2

Easily, the most influential and widely imitated big band of the 1950s was Count Basie's “New Testament" orchestra. The impact that this band left on jazz, musicians, arrangers and popular music cannot be overstated. And the mere fact that Basie was able to take two completely different bands at two different points in his career to national acclaim is an astonishing feat that has never been satisfactorily recognized and applauded. Basie made it all look too easy, especially ...
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