Jazz on the Plaza: Benny Benack III

New York City’s favorite community-based jazz festival — proudly welcomes:

The Benny Benack III Quartet

Benny Benack (trumpet/voice)

TBD

About Benny Benack III:

Emmy-nominated Trumpeter and Vocalist Benny Benack III has quickly become a leading voice in Jazz for his generation. He headlines clubs and festivals around the world seemingly nonstop, on the heels of his latest critically acclaimed live album “This Is The Life” (2025) which has garnered thousands of streams and topped the JazzWeek Radio Charts. He is the rare talent who is just as formidable as a fiery trumpeter ranging from Freddie Hubbard to Louis Armstrong and everyone in between, while as a singer he delivers sly, mature, naturally expressive post-Sinatra vocal stylings. His sophomore album “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” (2020) featured the likes of bass luminary Christian McBride, achieving viral online fame w/his vocalese rendition of "Social Call" ft. Veronica Swift that's been transcribed and covered by singers around the world. He has crooned his way to millions of more listeners alongside groups such as the Grammy-winning “8-Bit Big Band” and YouTube sensation “Postmodern Jukebox”. His (2023) album “Third Time’s the Charm” went all the way to #2 on the charts and featured a veritable line-up of special guests including Peter Bernstein, Bria Skonberg, Chad LB & more.

His double-threat credentials were first apparent when he was a finalist in the 2014 Thelonius Monk Competition on trumpet, and then won Third Place in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan Vocal Competition. His resume for both was recently bolstered by Downbeat Magazine’s Readers Poll for 2025, where he placed #1 for Rising Star Male Vocalist and was also #8 for Rising Star Trumpet. His global recognition has been bolstered through his collaborations with the GRAMMY-award winning “8-Bit Big Band” and touring with Postmodern Jukebox. IMG Artists and Jazz @ Lincoln Center have selected him to front numerous projects touring North America, notably alongside fellow trumpeter Bria Skonberg and young star vocalists Stella Cole and Kate Kortum. The recent advent of live-streaming concerts has been a boon as well, both through his residency at Smalls Jazz Club, as well as frequent appearances at fellow superstar Emmet Cohen’s “Emmet’s Place” online series. He has arrived as one of the most in-demand touring artists and music educators in the Jazz world, with a never-ending intercontinental schedule that reflects his indefatigable love for the music, with his smile and panache on full-display wherever it takes him next.

About Jazz on the Plaza:

For over 20 years, Jazz on the Plaza has been held in the public outdoor plaza at 601 Lexington Avenue. These midday concerts are free of charge and open to the general public. Many people bring a lunch or purchase it from one of the several area vendors. While every effort is made to host Jazz on the Plaza outdoors, in the event of inclement weather the concert may be moved indoors to the Sanctuary of Saint Peter’s Church, where guests are asked not to bring food or opened beverages.

Concerts begin at 12:30 P.M. and run for about an hour. During the month of September, jazz groups from area colleges are featured as a way to support the ongoing development of young jazz musicians. Through the months of July and August, the festival features some of the best professional jazz musicians in the city. Care is made to present a diversity of ensembles and styles ranging from small trios to large big bands.

THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

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