Benito Gonzalez, Gerry Gibbs & Essiet Okon Essiet
Biographie Benito Gonzalez, Gerry Gibbs & Essiet Okon Essiet
Benito Gonzalez
Born into a family of Venezuelan folk musicians, jazz pianist Benito Gonzalez has always had a deep-rooted appreciation for pastimes and traditions. Today, as a rising star of one of America’s finest musical traditions, Gonzalez has come to his current status by following in the footsteps of jazz’s ancestral forebears. The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz makes this passionate performer an audience favorite all over the world.
Benito Gonzalez is being recognized as an exciting pianist and composer for his well-received debut album ‘Starting Point’ (Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean, Ron Blake) in addition to taking home first prize at the Great American Jazz Piano Competition.
Benito’s acclaimed sophomore album, ‘Circles’ (Ron Blake, Myron Walden, Azar Lawrence, Christian McBride, Jeff “Tain” Watts), reveals a very personal body of work as he emerges as a leader and an accomplished improviser. Recently, Benito received more critical attention for his work on Garrett’s Grammy-Nominated album ‘Seeds from the Underground’.
After almost seven years of touring with Kenny Garrett, Benito has added numerous festivals and international jazz club dates to his credit. He has also shared the stage with Curtis Fuller, Pharaoh Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Christian McBride, Ignacio Berroa, Roy Hargrove, Rene McLean, Steve Turre, Hamiet Bluiett, Antonio Sanchez, T.K. Blue, Nicholas Payton, Azar Lawrence, and Jackie McLean.
His multi-cultural talents have led to frequent recording dates, from American jazz masters such as Kenny Garrett and Azar Lawrence, to West African musicians and Latin bands. Benito has also served as musical director for several Venezuelan Recording Artists.
Presently, Benito is touring the world with numerous jazz clubs an international festivals to his credit, including several extensive tours of Europe as leader of his own Benito Gonzalez Trio.
Essiet Okon Essiet
first received critical acclaim more than a decade ago as amember of saxophonist Bobby Watson's post-hard bop group Horizon. He has long since established himself as one of New York's premier bassist.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, his parents having moved there from Nigeria, WestAfrica, the family later moved to Wisconsin where Essiet began his musical studies, on the violin, at age of 10. Four years later he switched to the bass.
As a child, and into his teens, his family moved often. His father worked for the US, as well as the Nigerian government, and his job took the family to many places including Europe, Africa and various cities in the US. His family finally settled in Portland, Oregon where he began studying jazz at the age of 14.
Having traveled widely as a youngster with his family, he had an easy time adjusting to life on the road once he turned professional. More importantly, his early exposure to many cultures, languages, folkways and religions, fostered his worldview of strength through diversity. "Some musicians are purist" says Essiet, "but I like to mix styles. I like many different types of cultures".
His first big break came in 1982 when he met Chicago based percussionist Famoudou Don Moye, a founding member of such important collectives as the Art Ensemble of Chicago and The Leaders. Moye asked Essiet to join his quartet and during that same year the bassist met Abdullah Ibrahim, the famed South African pianist. Working with Ibrahim, Essiet toured the globe splitting his time between Europe and the US during the period from 1982 to 1986.
Eventually Essiet settled in NYC. Two years later, he joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and remained in the group until the famed drummer/teacher's passing in 1990. During the next decade the bassist began what has proven to be a significant freelance career. ...
Gerry Gibbs
is a Grammy nominated Drummer, Producer, Band Leader, Composer & Arranger. As a Solo Artist, Gibbs has released 9 Jazz Recordings. His first, back in 1996, ‘Gerry Gibbs Sextet – The Thrasher’ features Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane with Quincy Jones as Executive Producer, while his last two recordings: ‘Gerry Gibbs & The Thrasher Dream Trio’,’We’re Back’ and “Live In Studio” feature Jazz luminaries Ron Carter & Kenny Barron. In 2014 and 2015, all 3 Trio recordings topped the National Jazz Radio Charts; spending 15 weeks between the three CD’s at #1 while ‘The Thrasher Dream Trio’ received a Grammy Nomination in 2014. Gibbs forthcoming Jazz recording: ‘Live in Studio’ also features the rhythm section of Ron Carter & Kenny Barron throughout while, this time around, added guests include: renowned Trumpeter Roy Hargrove and Award-Winning Vocalist Cassandra Wilson. In November 2015 The Gerry Gibbs “Thrasher Dream Trio” has once again returned to #1 on the JazzWeek Jazz Charts as the most played Jazz CD across the country for 2 weeks. This would be their third #1 CD in a row in less than two years for 15 weeks total. Since the first jazz radio charts started being documented going back 14 years to 2002, only two other artist in 14 years have had three or more #1 consecutive CD’s in a row.
Following the successful reception of the last two Thrasher Dream Trio recordings, Gibbs has quickly returned to the studio. Entitled “Thrasher Dream Trio Live in Studio”, the CD once again features rhythm section titans Ron Carter & Kenny Barron throughout, while this time his guests include renowned trumpeter Roy Hargrove and award-winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson. In November 2015, The Gerry Gibbs and his “Thrasher Dream Trio” has once again returned to #1 on the JazzWeek Jazz Charts as the most played Jazz CD across the country. This would be their third #1 CD in a row in less than two years for 15 weeks total. Since the first jazz radio charts started being documented going back 14 years to 2002, only two other artist in 14 years have had three or more #1 consecutive CD’s in a row.
Recorded at the famed Systems Two Studio in Brooklyn, NY before a Live audience of invite-only musicians, music industry insiders and friends, the CD features 16 gorgeous re-workings of one-time Top 40 Classics mostly from the 1950’s and ‘60’s. Though many of the selections have been covered by a countless number of crooners and popular singers, few of the tracks on ‘Live in Studio’ are played, performed or recorded these days and surely not collected on one recording. The unorthodox idea to bring together these tunes on one single ‘concept recording’ developed from Gibbs dialing in daily to KWXY, a station out of Palm Springs, CA, that broadcasts a playlist featuring classic standards originally popularized by the likes of Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jack Jones, Julie London, Johnny Mathis, Roy Rogers, Doris Day, Charlie Pride, and Esquivel, as well as campy lounge recordings from the 1960’s. As Gibbs points out, “some might refer to these tunes today as Muzak, elevator or doctor’s office music, but I’ve always loved the inherently great melodies and song-writing craft from this era.” Gibbs has surely found a fertile treasure trove of inspiration to recast such classic melodies in a modern jazz context and with plenty of room for outstanding improvisations. Choosing to dive into the studio this time out with no rehearsals or written arrangements, Gibbs kept things loose, directing the proceedings with only simple tempo and groove outlines while allowing the tunes to evolve in the more-than-capable hands of Ron Carter and Kenny Barron. Added to the mix was the late-breaking development of including trumpet great Roy Hargrove and vocalist Cassandra Wilson. Each adds an individual, stylistic warmth and charm to the tracks on which they appear. ...
