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…
William Parker’s Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra will celebrate its 10th anniversary with two performances on Feb. 28 downstairs at New York City’s St. Nicholas (288 10th St.).
Little Huey plans to perform “Endless” at 8 p.m. and “Abur” at 10 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and will run patrons$15 per set with a $5 drink minimum.
Parker started the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra in January 1984 at Manhattan’s University of the Streets. Influenced by Mingus’ and Sun Ra’s large ensembles, he wanted to create a large ensemble that could work like a small one. Though his arrangements require discipline and attentiveness, they also allow for artistic freedom among the group’s members. According to Parker, “I bring in a foundation, and the musicians do the building.”
The Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra is composer/bassist William Parker; trumpeters Roy Campbell Jr., Lewis Barnes and Matt Lavelle; trombonists Masahiko Kono, Alex Lodico and Dick Griffin; saxophonists Rob Brown, Charles Waters, Henry Warner, Sabir Mateen and Dave Sewelson; drummers Guillermo E. Brown and Andrew Barker; and poet David Budbill.
For more information, call (212) 696-6681 or visit www.visionfestival.org
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.
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