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Benny Reid
Concord Jazz announced the release of Escaping Shadows, the sophomore album from alto saxophonist and bandleader Benny Reid. On his new release, 28-year-old Reid reveals the next vital step in his maturation as an adventurous artist and an ambitious composer. The album features nine originals and one cover song, and will be available everywhere September 15, 2009.
Produced by Reid and Chris Dunn, Escaping Shadows spotlights Reid and his band as embarking on a passionate, largely upbeat and lyrical journey. The album includes pieces that were written around the time of his debut album Findings, which the saxophonist cites as a highly creative period for him. "Half the songs on Escaping Shadows were written before the first record came out," he says. "For example, I had hopes that the tune "Escaping Shadows" would make it on to Findings, but there wasn't enough time in the studio to record it. It turned out for the best because I restructured it, building in new elements and making it stronger."
Reid recorded Escaping Shadows with his own group to build upon the rapport the members developed while working on the road together for the past two years. "We are a family. We've developed a way to work on my compositions and grooves." Members of the group include guitarist Richard Padrón, wordless vocalist Jeff Taylor and percussionist Ryan Fitch, all of whom also played on Reid's debut album. In addition, Reid recruited pianist Pablo Vergara, bassist Daniel Loomis and drummer Kenny Grohowski.
Yet Reid's alto takes the melodic lead on the tunes. He says, "I want to create the most beautiful melodies I possibly can." That's especially the case on the sublime tune, "The Most Beautiful Girl I Ever Knew," which is dedicated to his sister who passed away when Reid was 13. "She inspired me," he says. "I wrote this in college in a practice room. It was a very emotional experience for me. I escaped into the music after her death, knowing that I would honor her with it someday." He also adds, "I've always found my musical voice the truest way to express my feelings; it's easier for me to pick up the saxophone and express myself creatively through my horn, than it is through my speaking voice. I feel that I can find the heart of my soul when I play. I try to create the most moving melodies possible that represent my influences. My sister is my most dominant influence, and I strive to achieve some sort of musical comparison to her with every song I write."
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Benny Reid: Escaping Shadows
by Woodrow Wilkins
To listen to Benny Reid's music is to hear a strong Pat Metheny influence. That's not a bad thing, but it is something the 28-year-old aims to move away from with Escaping Shadows, his second release as a leader. Reid graduated from the music program at Indiana University. In addition to Metheny, his influences include Phil Woods, Sonny Rollins and Michael Jackson. Accompanying Reid on this outing are guitarist Richard Padron, keyboardist Pablo Vergara keyboards, bassist Daniel Loomis ...
read moreTake Five With Benny Reid
by AAJ Staff
Instrument(s):Alto saxophone.Teachers and/or influences?Starting with my alto sax teacher in high school, Andy Fusco of Buddy Rich Band fame, and throughout college at Indiana University I studied with Tom Walsh, who is a great jazz and classical player that really knows how to bring out the individualism in each student. I also mentored under tenor great Eric Alexander and pianist Mike LeDonne and took lessons with Chris Potter, Dick Oatts and several others over ...
read moreBenny Reid to Release New Album
Source:
On Target Media Group
On September 15th, Concord Jazz Records will release Escaping Shadows, the new album from jazz saxophonist Benny Reid. On his new release, 28-year-old Reid reveals the next vital step in his maturation as an adventurous artist and an ambitious composer. The album features nine originals and one cover song. Noteworthy originals include the volume-surging, rock-grooved “Facing the Edge” and the hybrid “New Days” that starts with a jazz groove followed by a jungle beat in the middle section. The lone ...
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Concord Jazz Will Release Benny Reid's "Escaping Shadows" on September 15
Source:
Fully Altered Media
Concord Jazz announced the release of Escaping Shadows, the sophomore album from alto saxophonist and bandleader Benny Reid. On his new release, 28-year-old Reid reveals the next vital step in his maturation as an adventurous artist and an ambitious composer. The album features nine originals and one cover song, and will be available everywhere September 15, 2009. Produced by Reid and Chris Dunn, Escaping Shadows spotlights Reid and his band as embarking on a passionate, largely upbeat and lyrical journey. ...
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Saxophonist Benny Reid at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival
Source:
Dawn Singh Publicity
Alto saxophonist Benny Reid made an auspicious debut as a leader on his first Concord Records CD, Findings," last year. Born in Westfield, New Jersey on October 7, 1980, Reid grew up in a musical household where the records of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, {Stan Getz}} and Pat Metheny provided a soundtrack for daily life. Since I was a kid, my mom and dad listened to all kinds of music," says Benny. He recalls, When I was in second grade, ...
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Benny Reid - 'Findings' Concord Jazz Debut CD Free Download
Source:
On Target Media Group
The upcoming Concord Jazz debut from 26 year old alto sax prodigy and rising jazz star Benny Reid, titled Findings, is set for release this coming Tuesday (Feb 27th). You can download the track Dancing with my Father" for free right here:
Findings is a fully realized work of remarkable depth and maturity that takes listeners on a musical journey traversing a whole range of emotions within each individual piece. The major inspiration for this record is my sister, who ...
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