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"Escaping Shadows"
8-20-09 Benny Reid: Interview at Tanglewood Jazz Fest 6-30-09 Album Release September 15th 2009! The new album "Escaping Shadows" will be released on Concord Records on September 15th 2009. We are working on tour dates and the live show now! Check back for more frequent updates, a new website and new images soon. 12-31-08 Almost Done! I just got the Master of the new album "Escaping Shadows" (yes, the title did change!) and I am extremely happy with the outcome. Currently, work is being done on the layout, look and feel of the album. Many of you have been asking about gigs and touring. We are planning several major shows in and out of the country beginning this Spring continuing through the Summer and Fall. I can't wait until we are out there on the road again! It has been somewhat frustrating because this record took so long to get together for various reasons. But, I hope it is worth the wait as it certainly has been for me. So please stay tuned for new updates. I think things will begin to happen at a quicker pace in the new year. To one and all, Happy New Year!! Benny 8-2-08 The Greatest Experience of My Life. It is 11:31am on Saturday, August 2nd and I just got off the phone with my mom. How grateful I am to have such a learned women and someone in my family who can relate to how I feel at this moment. She describes what I am feeling as "postpartum depression", and she is spot on. I hope this memoir will begin to cure me. I woke up today at 10am after going to sleep at 7am. The band had our final night in Avatar Studios in NYC last night, which ended at 5:30am. We went way overtime for the final sprint to the finish by laying down the most incredible display of vocal endurance by Jeff that I have and might ever witness. Dave and Rick immediately began assembling a rough mix to put on the hard drive. Chris was the calm, supportive, guiding voice in the process, despite being nervous of the overtime on the project. Jeff and I had a lengthy heart to heart talk about a variety of topics that was long overdue. Dave drove me to my car and told me how remarkable and rare it is to accomplish what we did in the studio this week. Coming from a master engineer/producer, that meant a lot. I drove home to Long Island before 6am aware of the beautiful sunrise scenes starting to occur, all while listening to the songs from our unbelievable creation. It felt like a soundtrack to the amazing skyline. I started to tear up thinking about the moment as if I was watching over myself from above. That moment was one of many this week that will be forever imprinted in my soul. In the end, those moments, which I will describe, will be the things I will cherish for the rest of my life and will become larger than the musical creation. It started when we played "The Edge: Cutting" on Tuesday. That was the song that kicked the band into gear. We locked in from that moment on and became an unstoppable force. It was a force that now seems to be from God or the spirits or my sister Alina watching over us. Words cannot describe the quality of this record. I tear up just thinking about it. I start to weep while listening to the songs. I cry when I think about the band. I miss you guys already. The bond we formed in those few days feels so strong and true that I feel a deep mysterious connection to each of you. After we listened back to "The Most Beautiful Girl I Ever Knew", I saw Richard walking around seeming hyper and happy, in a different sort of way than I am used to. It was at that moment that I could no longer contain myself. He and I have a six-year history together beginning with the inception of this band. We also have a constructive seesaw dynamic in our personal relationship. For whatever reason, I felt this overwhelming sense of approval from him, and everyone else in the room, that I forced myself to accept. I was so relieved to have "The Most Beautiful Girl I Ever Knew" recorded with the perfect mood and feeling behind it. My sister would be proud. I broke down crying in the control room. Everyone ran to me and hugged me as if I was their brother. We all shed a tear. I will cherish this powerful moment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for thatÉit was the highlight of the session. It was 5am on Thursday morning. I was lying in bed not sleeping for the 3rd night in a row due to my excitement. I could not believe how great the record was sounding. I was crying in happiness for being able to have this opportunity. I was crying in disbelief of the ability of my band. I was crying because after 5 years of blood, sweat and tears assembling this music, its realization was happening above and beyond what I could imagine. 7-7-08 Just wanted to let everyone know that we are just about ready to record my second record "Escaping Shadows" for Concord Records. The band, including Richard Padron (Guitars), Pablo Vergara (Keyboards), Dan Loomis (Bass), Kenny Grohowski (Drums), Jeff Taylor (Vocals), and Ryan Fitch (Percussion) is in the last rehearsals touching up the music. We are hitting the studio in NYC at the end of this month, continuing through August. Everyone involved with the project is excited and we all have high hopes for the success of the album. Just like "Findings", this record will consist of my original material in addition to a special song by my musical hero. Thanks for your continued support!
Official Release Date of "Findings" was February 27, 2007!
Benny Reid and Concord Records finished the production of "Findings"! The last year was spent in the studios being mixed by Seth Presant at Concord Studios and mastered by the legendary Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, the man behind bands including Pat Metheny Group, Dave Matthews Band, Madonna, the Eagles and countless others.
Selmer Saxophones!
Benny Reid has been endorsed by SELMER SAXOPHONES! You can visit his Selmer webpage Benny Reid is a Featured Artist at Jazz-O-Matic.com! You can listen to Benny teaching a music lesson on the blues by clicking here: Lesson
Concord Records
Concord Records has signed Benny Reid to an exclusive recording contract
Some Past Shows
June 22nd 12:30AM Benny Reid Group - Late Night Groove Series Blue Note New York, Ny July 8th 9:00PM Chico O'Farrill Big Band Birdland New York, NY July 14th 8:00PM and 10:00PM Benny Reid Group Chris' Jazz Cafe Philadelphia, PA August 3rd 8:30PM and 10:00PM Benny Reid Group River Room New York, NY August 5th 9:00PM Chico O'Farrill Big Band Birdland New York, NY August 11th 3:00PM Benny Reid Group 405 International Jazz Festival Harrisburg, PA August 15th 7:30PM and 9:30PM Benny Reid Group The Jazz Standard New York, NY October 12th 9:00PM Benny Reid Group The Firefly Ann Arbor, MI October 13th 8:30PM and 10:30PM Benny Reid Group The Jazz Kitchen Indianapolis, IN October 19th 8:00PM Benny Reid Group The Kennedy Center Washington, D.C. October 22nd 6:30PM Benny Reid Trio New York Public Library Tour Flushing, NY November 1st-12th Japan Tour Concord Fujitsu Jazz Festival November 19th 1:30PM Benny Reid Trio New York Public Library Tour Astoria, NY November 24th 2:30PM Benny Reid Trio New York Public Library Tour Jackson Heights, NY February 5th 7:30PM and 9:30PM Benny Reid Group The Jazz Standard New York, NY |
Press
Philadelphia Daily News - Pick of the week for live jazz! By Shaun Brady At 26, saxophonist Benny Reid is younger than most musicians who straddle the border between smooth and traditional jazz, a boundary so fierce that only vets like David Sanborn or the Yellowjackets dare traverse it. But Reid eschews the standard drum machines and R&B covers in favor of meditative originals. On his debut CD, "Findings" (Concord Jazz), Reid's lilting alto almost sounds more like a guitar than a sax. It might not qualify as new age, but "Findings" may be more melodic than any recording of waterfalls and bird calls. Concord has been aggressively looking for new young talent. Last year's findings of Taylor Eigsti, Erin Boheme and Christian Scott were quite pleasant surprises. This new discovery, altoist Benny Reid, has put out an unbelievably mature and impressive debut cd, complete with very strong self-penned compositions in which to spotlight his chops. His songs have a catchy reminiscence of Pat Metheny, but also an eerie ambitious resemblance to Kenny Garrett's "Beyond The Wall." Dramatic landscape sweeps, sentimental overtures and rhapsodic interludes are found in abundance on this sophisticated yet accessible work. Reid's warm alto is well suited to these sentimental compostions that were dedicated to his sister, who died at the tender age of 13. Each song has a tender and reflective aspect, like the pastoral ""Transient Melody" which also features Jeff Taylor's gentle wordless vocals a la Richard Bona, mixed with some inspiring guitar work by Richard Padron. Pianist Aaron Goldberg takes time away from his solo work and employment with Kurt Rosenwinkle to provide some sensitive support and soloing on "Findings: A Quest For Peace" as well as the driving "Dancing With My Father", which also has Reid and the rhythm section charging on all 6 cylinders. Look for this cd, and for this artist when he comes to town. He's going places! |
