Awaiting the Benny Green Trio’s second set while absorbing the history and ambience of The Jazz Standard, I overheard Benny Green tell drummer Kenny Washington, “I’m here to do it right, man.” Once the house lights dimmed, tight beats and smooth bass lines backing Green’s nimble fingers made it abundantly clear that the Trio would indeed “do it right.” The left-coast resident, along with bassist Peter Washington – no relation to Kenny, but certainly a formidable rhythmic duo – recently released Source, his first trio album in ten years.
Green’s modest yet amusing introductions for the Thailand-inspired “La Portuguesa,” the bouncy yet down-tempo “Kenny Drew” (written for late pianist Kenny Drew) and the frenzied “Flying Saucer” – which included his proclamation that “the Jack Daniels is finally kicking in” – provided brief interludes for the audience to catch their collective breath during the high energy set. Preceding the bop-driven “Tales of Malone,” Green took a few light hearted verbal jabs at longtime collaborator Russell Malone, who attended the early set.
Paying homage to his influences and collaborators, Green graciously offered the Washingtons ample showcase opportunities throughout the night. Neither failed to disappoint as they whole-heartedly launched into bouncy bass explorations and furious, syncopated rhythmic explosions between Green’s scaling excursions on the keys.
Aware the close of the set was imminent, a final showcase for the Trio’s namesake surfaced in the folds of the penultimate composition which finished with a playful Latin/Bossa rhythm carrying the final 8-bars. At the crowd’s behest for “one more”, the aloof and perpetually smiling Green conferred with the Washingtons before easing into a flowing, bluesy finish to the night. The ovations emanating throughout the club affirmed the fact that Green and his Trio “did it right.”
Dig it! Benny Green has a NEW CD just out – “Magic Beans” on Sunnyside. It is excellent! Real Hard Bop for the Soul. It’s the first album Benny’s recorded where all the compositions are his own. So this one is near and dear to him. Benny’ll be interviewed about the cd this Friday afternoon (2/22/13) at 2pm on WBGO-FM by Rhonda Hamilton. Tune in! If you are out of town they stream it online. Peace.
Dig it! Benny Green has a NEW CD just out – “Magic Beans” on Sunnyside. It is excellent! Real Hard Bop for the Soul. It’s the first album Benny’s recorded where all the compositions are his own. So this one is near and dear to him. Benny’ll be interviewed about the cd this Friday afternoon (2/22/13) at 2pm on WBGO-FM by Rhonda Hamilton. Tune in! If you are out of town they stream it online. Peace.
Dig it! Benny Green has a NEW CD just out – “Magic Beans” on Sunnyside. It is excellent! Real Hard Bop for the Soul. It’s the first album Benny’s recorded where all the compositions are his own. So this one is near and dear to him. Benny’ll be interviewed about the cd this Friday afternoon (2/22/13) at 2pm on WBGO-FM by Rhonda Hamilton. Tune in! If you are out of town they stream it online. Peace.
Dig it! Benny Green has a NEW CD just out – “Magic Beans” on Sunnyside. It is excellent! Real Hard Bop for the Soul. It’s the first album Benny’s recorded where all the compositions are his own. So this one is near and dear to him. Benny’ll be interviewed about the cd this Friday afternoon (2/22/13) at 2pm on WBGO-FM by Rhonda Hamilton. Tune in! If you are out of town they stream it online. Peace.
Dig it! Benny Green has a NEW CD just out – “Magic Beans” on Sunnyside. It is excellent! Real Hard Bop for the Soul. It’s the first album Benny’s recorded where all the compositions are his own. So this one is near and dear to him. Benny’ll be interviewed about the cd this Friday afternoon (2/22/13) at 2pm on WBGO-FM by Rhonda Hamilton. Tune in! If you are out of town they stream it online. Peace.
Dig it! Benny Green has a NEW CD just out – “Magic Beans” on Sunnyside. It is excellent! Real Hard Bop for the Soul. It’s the first album Benny’s recorded where all the compositions are his own. So this one is near and dear to him. Benny’ll be interviewed about the cd this Friday afternoon (2/22/13) at 2pm on WBGO-FM by Rhonda Hamilton. Tune in! If you are out of town they stream it online. Peace.