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…
Miguel Zenón will lead a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Maria in Berkeley, California, on Oct. 8. The powerful hurricane was the worst storm to hit the island in almost a century.
(Photo: © Jimmy Katz)Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, the worst storm to hit the island in almost a century. Puerto Ricans lost power, homes were damaged or destroyed by massive flooding, and first responders scrambled to rescue people who were trapped. Relief agencies worked hard to get food and medical supplies to those in need. The recovery will be a long, difficult process.
In support of the hurricane victims, jazz artists on the West Coast will perform a benefit concert, Juntos por Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., in Berkeley, California. Tickets are $60 premium advance, $40 general advance and $44 at the door. Additional information can be found at the Freight & Salvage website.
Event organizer Miguel Zenón, a DownBeat Critics Poll-topping alto saxophonist and Puerto Rican native, notes that the Juntos por Puerto Rico concert will be an opportunity to provide aid to a community in need and to celebrate Puerto Rico’s rich musical tradition. “I hope you’ll join us to help the people of Puerto Rico recover from this devastating catastrophe. It’s going to take years for the island to recover, but residents need immediate help,” said Zenón, who will also perform at the event. “We’re honored that so many incredible musicians have chosen to donate their talents to help raise badly needed resources, and that Freight & Salvage is providing a wonderful venue so that we can perform for everyone who wants to help.”
Performers will include Obed Calvaire, Marco Diaz, Robin Eubanks, David Flores, Jose Roberto Hernandez, Zakir Hussain, Sean Jones, Rebeca Mauleon, Javier Navarrete, Rico Pabon, Pedro Pastrana, Joshua Redman, David Sanchez, John Santos, Shefali Shah, Marcus Shelby and Saul Sierra.
For more information on the concert, click here.
To donate to Hurricane Maria relief via the Red Cross, click here.
To read a story about the Jazz Foundation of America’s relief efforts in Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, click here. 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…
