Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Saxophonist, Sonic Explorer Casey Benjamin Dies at 45
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
Herbie Hancock performs at the International Jazz Day “All-Star Global Concert” in Havana, Cuba, on April 30.
(Photo: International Jazz Day)The International Jazz Day “All-Star Global Concert” took place in Havana, Cuba, on, April 30, and is now archived at these two websites: jazzday.com or unesco.org/jazzday. Fans can stream this webcast, which is about two hours long.
Herbie Hancock and Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés served as the artistic directors for the concert, and John Beasley and Emilio Vega were the musical co-directors.
The announced lineup for the show included Ambrose Akinmusire (United States), Carl Allen (United States), Pancho Amat (Cuba), Marc Antoine (France), Richard Bona (Cameroon), Till Brönner (Germany), A Bu (China), Igor Butman (Russian Federation), Bobby Carcassés (Cuba), Regina Carter (United States), Kurt Elling (United States), Kenny Garrett (United States), Antonio Hart (United States) and Takuya Kuroda (Japan).
Other performers announced as part of the diverse roster included Ivan Lins (Brazil), Sixto Llorente (Cuba), César López (Cuba), Marcus Miller (United States), Youn Sun Nah (Republic of Korea), Julio Padrón (Cuba), Gianluca Petrella (Italy), Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Cuba), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Christian Sands (United States), Esperanza Spalding (United States), Ben Williams (United States), Tarek Yamani (Lebanon) and Dhafer Youssef (Tunisia).
The celebration in Havana marked the 70th anniversary of Cuba’s accession to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the foundation of the National Commission for UNESCO. DB
Benjamin possessed a fluid, round sound on the alto saxophone, and he was often most recognizable by the layers of electronic effects that he put onto the instrument.
Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
“He’s constructing intelligent musical sentences that connect seamlessly, which is the most important part of linear playing,” Charles McPherson said of alto saxophonist Sonny Red.
Feb 27, 2024 1:40 PM
“I might not have felt this way 30 to 40 years ago, but I’ve reached a point where I can hear value in what people…
Albert “Tootie” Heath (1935–2024) followed in the tradition of drummer Kenny Clarke, his idol.
Apr 5, 2024 10:28 AM
Albert “Tootie” Heath, a drummer of impeccable taste and time who was the youngest of three jazz-legend brothers…
“Both of us are quite grounded in the craft, the tradition and the harmonic sense,” Rosenwinkel said of his experience playing with Allen. “Yet I felt we shared something mystical as well.”
Mar 12, 2024 11:42 AM
“There are a few musicians you hear where, as somebody once said, the molecules in the room change. Geri was one of…
Henry Threadgill performs with Zooid at Big Ears in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Apr 9, 2024 11:30 AM
Big Ears, the annual four-day music celebration that first took place in 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee, could well be…
