BENNY GREEN — Stevens Point

One of the great hard bop pianists of our time! Benny Green was a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and has worked with such greats as Diana Krall, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Betty Carter, Etta Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Ray Brown.

Benny has played on Grammy nominated and winning albums for Diana Krall and Betty Carter respectively. He’s recorded extensively on Blue Note, Telarc, and Sunnyside labels, and is a perennial pick in both DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls.

“When you say he’s got it all, you’ve said it all. That is the most concise summation of the genius of pianist Benny Green.” — Los Angeles Times

Benny Green was born in New York City. He grew up in Berkeley, California, and studied classical piano from the age of seven. Benny attended Berkeley High School and played in the school's jazz ensemble. In the later years of his high school career, he had a weekly trio gig at the famed club Yoshi’s, which was his entrance to the world of professional jazz.

Benny moved back to New York in the spring of 1982 and worked with Betty Carter between from 1983 to 1987. He joined Art Blakey's band and remained a Jazz Messenger through late 1989, at which point he began working with Freddie Hubbard's quintet.

“His mastery of the tradition and the instrument are astonishing.” — UK Jazz News

Benny Green's recording career as a sideman includes over one hundred studios sessions. As a leader of his own groups, Benny has recorded nearly two dozen albums for Blue Note, Telarc, and Criss Cross labels. Benny’s most recent recordings on Sunnyside include Then and Now (2018), Benny’s Crib (2020), and Solo(2022).

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