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Heather Bennett

Heather Bennett Pianist/Vocalist/Composer/Band Leader 702 49th St Apt 1F Brooklyn, NY 11220 917-769-5417 718-871-2066 Email: [email protected] www.heatherbennett.net

Biography

Jazz pianist/composer Heather Bennett has recently released her fifth recording as a leader. "Reflections on Red,” produced by Apria Records, is a mix of acoustic and electric sounds showcasing Ms. Bennett's original music. Her new lineup of musicians includes: Donny McCaslin on flutes and saxophones; Pete McCann on guitar; Mike Pope on bass; and Ari Hoenig on drums. In addition to her acoustic piano playing, this recording features Ms. Bennett on rhodes electric piano, B-3 organ and voice. Ms. Bennett released “Suite Talk” on Apria Records in 2003. This recording has made the top 50 in Jazz Week. This recording features saxophonist, Rick Margitza, trumpeter, Bill Mobley, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Billy Hart. The album, produced by George Schuller, features all original material including two of Bennett’s jazz suites. Ms. Bennett, born in Buffalo, NY, raised in Needham, MA and Dallas, TX, comes from a rich musical background (her mother is an accomplished classical pianist). Heather began formally studying the piano at the age of seven. She continued her musical studies at Richland College in Dallas, then the University of North Texas and followed her mentor Bert Ligon, to the University of South Carolina where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in jazz performance. As a fixture on the Austin, TX, scene during the mid-90s, Ms. Bennett released two self-produced CDs: the first, “New Light” (1996), consists entirely of her own compositions. Her second CD, “Throwing Sparks” (1997), features an all woman trio of Texas personnel. In 1997, Ms. Bennett moved to New York City to become part of a large community of prominent jazz musicians. She also continued her studies privately with Richie Beirach and later Sal Mosca. In 1998, she organized an all female quintet of New Yorkers with Houston bassist Erin Wright which debuted at the Sumarts Jazz Festival in Houston, recorded, then toured all over Texas. Her premiere New York release is All Through The Night (2000), with drummer Billy Hart, bassist Dennis Irwin, and alto saxophonist Dave Pietro. Interspersed between Bennett’s originals are a combination of tunes from Cyndi Lauper’s “All Through the Night” to the American classic “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South.” Heather has performed with her own groups at jazz clubs in New York City and surrounding areas (Ryles in Boston, Cleopatra’s Needle, Up Over Jazz Café, Smith’s, Detour, Metropolitan Café, Pumpkins, etc.

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Performance / Tour

Cliff Korman Qt (Tonight) Emilio Solla & NY Jazz-Tango (Sat) Heather Bennett Qnt (Sun) at the Cornelia Street Cafe

Cliff Korman Qt (Tonight) Emilio Solla & NY Jazz-Tango (Sat) Heather Bennett Qnt (Sun) at the Cornelia Street Cafe

Source: All About Jazz

Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014 Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village 1,9 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, F to West 4th St. “a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987 This Weekend at Cornelia Street Cafe Sept. 16 thg Sept. 18 Fri Sep 16 CLIFF KORMAN QUARTET (Billy Drewes, woodwinds; AndyEulau, bass; Vanderlei Pereira, drums/percussion; Cliff ...

“...one of the most promising bop-and-beyond players of the younger generation...” �" Will Friedwald, Village Voice

“...Heather Bennett continues her rise to prominence as an accomplished jazz pianist...” �" All About Jazz

“...a dozen original pieces (including two jazz suites) reveal Heather’s formidable talent as a composer...”-Review of Bennett’s album “SuiteTalk” �" Bob Bernotas, host of “Just Jazz,” WDVR-FM

“...with a definite knowledge of tradition, her compositions impressively present an intelligent path from the present to the future of Jazz...” - The Bunker, Bielefeld, Germany

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Bachelors of Music (Jazz Performance) University of South Carolina Twelve years experience teaching privately Seven years experience teaching chorus, keyboards, theory, recorder and band in NYC public schools through 144 Music and Arts, Neighborhood Music and Arts and Music Wizards Two years experience teaching theory, keyboards and jazz combo at National Guitar Workshop Available for Clinics/Seminars; Private instruction for jazz/classical piano; Summer camps; Vocal Coaching and Arranging

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