Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
Benny Reid is a jazz musician and saxophonist who records for the independent record label Concord Music Group on their Concord Records label. He has released two albums.
Early life
Reid grew up in Westfield, New Jersey in a musical household where he was exposed to a variety of styles. He often traveled to New York to hear musicians like Sonny Rollins and Phil Woods and occasionally participated in jams at the clubs Blue Note and Smalls.
An early mentor was Buddy Rich’s alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, and Reid began writing music when he was 14. His musical interests ran the gamut from the brass-infused pop band Chicago to Michael Jackson. However, guitarist Pat Metheny became his biggest influence during his college years.
Reid is a graduate of the music program at Indiana University where he studied under Tom Walsh and David Baker. During these years Reid went home to NJ during college breaks and networked and performed in NYC. He also studied with Eric Alexander, Chris Potter, Steve Wilson, Dick Oatts, Michael Weiss and Ron Blake. Upon graduation from IU, Reid moved to NYC and resumed the musical nightlife and activities of the jazz world. He started his own band in 2002 but it really took form with music from his first album "Findings" in 2003. Reid has performed with such luminaries as Winard Harper, Eric Reed, Toshiko Akiyoshi Band, Chico O' Farill Band, Buddy Rich Band, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Big Band, Jimmy Dorsey Big Band, Harry James Big Band, Rosemary Clooney, Frankie Valli, The Temptations and others.
Albums
On September 15, 2009, Benny released his second album through Concord Records entitled, Escaping Shadows. The album contains nine noteworthy originals and a cover of Pat Metheny's “Always and Forever”. Reid recorded Escaping Shadows with his own group to build upon the rapport they developed while working on the road together for the past two years. Members of the group include guitarist Richard Padrón, wordless vocalist Jeff Taylor and percussionist Ryan Fitch, all of whom also played on Reid’s debut album Findings. In addition, Reid recruited pianist Pablo Vergara, bassist Daniel Loomis and drummer Kenny Grohowski to record the new album.
Benny's debut album Findings was released February 27, 2007 on Concord Records and includes six suite-like compositions inspired by his late sister who had died when he was 13. He has noted that he always wanted her to live through his music and dedicated his debut to the memory of his sister. The event helps explain the cathartic, contemplative nature of Findings. But there is also a touch of light to balance the darkness in provocative, atmospheric pieces like the opener “Destiny?” and complex offerings like “Findings: A Quest For Peace” or “Waves of Red.” Wordless vocals play a significant part in buoyant, uplifting numbers like “Transient Melody” and the poignant “Dancing With My Father,” Reid’s homage to his first important musical influence.
Gear
Benny's gear includes Selmer Super Action 80 Series II Alto Saxophone, Vandoren V16 6S Mouthpiece and Java 3 Reeds, Applied Microphone Technology LS Microphone and a New York Meyer 5 Mouthpiece.
