Grammy award winning Jazz bassist John Benitez is scheduled to perform in Hightstown on Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at Tavern on the Lake located at 101 North Main Street, Hightstown.
Grammy award winning Jazz bassist John Benitez is scheduled to perform in Hightstown on Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at Tavern on the Lake located at 101 North Main Street, Hightstown.
Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Benitez grew up playing gospel music in church. By age nineteen, he was the first-call bassist in San Juan’s thriving jazz and Latin music scenes, performing with many well-known artists. He studied at the University of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music with master bassist Federico Silva.
In 1993, he moved to New York, attending City College where he studied with the acoustic bassist Ron Carter, then with contra bass guitarist Anthony Jackson. Since then, he has performed on the bandstand with Wynton Marsalis, Tito Puente, Michele Camilo, Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Watson and David Sanchez.
As sideman and featured guest, Benitez has performed in all the world’s major jazz festivals in Turkey, Jordan (where he played for the royal family), South America, Canada, Norway, Finland and throughout Europe. He was selected to serve as Jazz Ambassador on a tour of South America.
John has appeared on Good Morning America, the Today Show and BET On Jazz. He has produced instructional videos and, with Ian Stewart, wrote “The John Benitez Bass Method Volume 1: Freedom in the Clave: a Rhythmic Approach to Bass Playing.”
Cost of the concert is $20; in advance, $15. For more information, visit rejsjazz.com.
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