Starting Point

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		Multi Dimensional I	6:09	Play
2		Plaza Bolivar	10:35	Play
3		The Walker	9:29	Play
4		Taking Roads	6:40	Play
5		Third Intention	5:09	Play
6		Multi Dimensional II	3:16	Play
7		Starting Point	6:52	Play
8		'Round Midnight	3:54	Play

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Bitmunk Marketplace Service	USD $0.98
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Description

BIO:
A native Venezuelan, jazz pianist and composer Benito Gonzalez moved to Washington, D.C. in 2001. With a style that is modern and aggressive, his sound incorporates everything from hard bop and contemporary jazz to traditional Latin music. In autumn 2004, Benito released his first full-length recording as a leader, "Starting Point," featuring 7 original compositions and guest musicians Christian McBride on bass, Antonio Sanchez on drums, Pernell Saturnino on percussion, and Rene McLean and Ron Blake on reeds. In 2005, he will tour with a working band to promote the album.
Benito began his career in high school; heavily influenced by American, African and Latin American styles and inspired by Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. Since then his performance credits include several international festivals [Montreux Jazz Festival, J.V.C. Jazz Festival], tours in Germany, Portugal and Vienna, and sharing the U.S. stage with Rene McLean, Antonio Parker, Antonio Hart, Benson Harrins, Don Braden, Mark Gross, and presently with the legendary jazz master Jackie McLean.

REVIEWS:
"...The Venezuelan pianist has made quite a name for himself... Gonzalez' approach is steeped in both hard bop and contemporary jazz, showing particular signs of Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, and Kenny Kirkland. He has a particular penchant for ridiculously fast chromatic right-hand runs (a la Bud Powell)...Look out for Gonzalez in the next few years as he plans make a move to New York and record with Blake, drummer Antonio Sanchez, and a few other yet to be named cats. His style is very modern and aggressive. His professional relationship with Jackie McLean and son, Rene, will surely be of help to Gonzalez when he does make the move (his website contains some soundbytes of him with the McLeans at Iridium a while ago). However, given the way he currently plays he can hold his own practically anywhere he goes and whomever he is up against." -Matthew Merewitz, allaboutjazz.com [10/03]


"...After touring Europe and Latin America, accomplished composer and pianist Benito Gonzalez settled in Washington, D .C. two years ago, following the encouragement of Ghanaian master percussionist Asante. Venezuelan by origin, Mr.Gonzalez collides a wide variety of Jazz styles, while often infusing his pieces with more traditionally Latin inflections. A vigorous and muscular player, Mr.Gonzalez seems to play for the sheer ecstatic joy of expression , his well constructed solos alive with twists, humor, and infectiously playful exchanges...the Gonzalez group strives for, and often approaches, the collective improvisational style and group rapport founded and perfected by such trio greats as Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans..." -Franz A. Matzner, allaboutjazz.com [03/03]