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.