John Benitez

Bass
Recently Added
08/16/2023
Smalls
Robert Edwards quartet & Jam Session
08/25/2022
Smalls
Dave Schumacher & Cubeyé
12/09/2020
Smalls
Oscar Feldman Quartet
05/24/2018
Smalls
Ximo Tebar Quartet
07/16/2016
Smalls
TRI-ANGULAR III
07/15/2016
Smalls
TRI-ANGULAR III
06/15/2016
Smalls
The Marc Miralta Quartet
07/12/2014
Smalls
The Jim Ridl Quartet
07/31/2012
Smalls
The Jim Ridl Trio
Upcoming Shows
In the world of Latin Jazz/Latin American music, John Benítez is considered to be one of the greatest bassists alive today. With five GRAMMY awards to his name and performance credits ranging from Tito Puente to Chick Corea, his impact on the music world is unquestionable. He recorded with Roy Hargrove's Crisol band (whose recording, “Habana,” was awarded the Grammy for best Latin jazz performance in 1997), David Sanchez (the Grammy nominated, “Obsesion”), Wynton Marsalis, Tito Puente, Michel Camilo, Dave Valentín, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Watson, David Sánchez, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Antonio Hart, Danilo Pérez, Kenny Kirkland, Chucho Valdés, Will Calhoun, Dave Samuels, Rubén Blades, Seis del Solar, Mongo Santamaría, Caribbean Jazz Project, Mingus Big Band, Kenny Kirkland, Antonio Hart, Mongo Santamaría, Ximo Tebar, Luis Perdomo, Dafnis Prieto, Ravi Coltrane, and many more. Although Benitez is extremely fluid in the jazz idiom, he excels at interpreting the rhythms and styles of his native Afro-Caribbean region and the entire Pan American music book. As he puts it himself, “For me it's all the same, one great dance music, all the Caribbean, South America and New Orleans are but an extension of African music, music with that special bounce. That's what I like the most.” John Benitez, an excellent example of a true musician, an educator, artist, gentleman and a spiritual human being.