Episode 68: Benny Benack III

Getting to Know: George! 

Chicago drummer George Fludas was born in Chicago on October 10, 1966. He was inspired to play drums by his father, who was also a drummer, and who exposed him to great jazz drummers such as Art Blakey, Max Roach, and "Philly" Joe Jones. 

He attended Lane Tech High School where he majored in music and played percussion in their concert band and orchestra. After briefly attending Roosevelt University's music school in 1985-86, he began freelancing with Chicago greats Von Freeman, Jodie Christian and Lin Halliday, as well as playing in groups with guitarist Bobby Broom, and saxophonists Ron Blake and Eric Alexander. He has subsequently played with many stellar musicians such as Ira Sullivan, Buddy Montgomery, Lou Donaldson, Frank Wess, Kenny Burrell, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Benny Green, Roy Hargrove, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Diana Krall, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, Junior Cook, Slide Hampton, and Bobby Hutcherson. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Joe Magnarelli “If You Could See Me Now” (2018) 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6G3uv0... 

About Off The Bandstand: 

Too often, audiences are only able to experience jazz musicians while they’re performing on the bandstand. 

“Off The Bandstand”, hosted by vocalist Christian Wiggs, is a series of one-on-one, informal conversations with members of the jazz scene. Each episode will feature a new guest and provide an opportunity for listeners to get to know more about the people behind the music, as well as their influences and stories throughout their career. 

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Jazz saxophonist Christopher Madsen is one of the most in-demand figures in the Chicago jazz world as a performer, composer, and pedagogue. He serves as jazz faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, former jazz faculty at Midwest Young Artists in Highwood, IL, and was Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) from 2008-2014. He is a sought-after jazz clinician, adjudicating at jazz festivals and offering workshops to ensembles of all ages and levels from across the globe. He is a Vandoren and Conn-Selmer Performing Artist, member of the Fulbright Specialist Program roster, Jazz Education Network, the National Educator’s Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Madsen serves on the Education Committee for the Jazz Education Network and has been featured in Jazziz Magazine (2005), the Jazz Spotlight for artsamerica.org (2012), and has been interviewed for saxplaying.com (2018) and the Chicago Jazz Magazine (2019). Madsen has also contributed jazz articles to The Instrumentalist magazine and been interviewed on several radio broadcasts about jazz history and his performing career.

Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel here!

Artistic cross-pollination! Manifesting ambassadorships for white2tea! Under the midnight sun!

In art and spirit, guitarist Matt Gold is a shining example of what it means to have your heart in the right place. In this episode, we chat about the ways that various instruments evoke unique parts of our personality, fostering a creative space for the improvised music community and the singer-songwriter scene, and a festival date in the forests of Finland that surely holds the title of “the longest day”.

Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel here!

J. Crew’s Next Top Model! Jive Confessional! Colossal Abundance! 

Not only the best dressed person in the room, saxophonist Geof Bradfield sets a new standard of intellectual charisma. In this episode, we chat about diving into the scores of an unsung hero of jazz, the significance of symmetry in Geof’s writing, and nightmare cocktail that consists of a milking truck, a European tour, and an inescapable glass shower. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Geof Bradfield 

“Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisers” (2018) 

Getting to Know: Geof! 

Born in Houston, TX, saxophonist and composer Geof Bradfield has shared the stage throughout North America, Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East with jazz luminaries such as Randy Weston, Carl Allen, Brian Blade, Rodney Whitaker, Etienne Charles, Joe Locke, and Orrin Evans. He also performs and records regularly with fellow Chicago artists including Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, Marquis Hill, and Ryan Cohan, to name a few. His work is featured on 50+ CDs, including seven albums as a leader that have garnered critical accolades from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Downbeat, the Chicago Tribune and NPR. Bradfield has been recognized in Downbeat Critics Polls as a Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist and Arranger. Birdhoused, recorded live at Chicago’s legendary Green Mill jazz club and released on Vancouver label Cellar Live in 2017, garnered 4 ½ stars from Downbeat. His most recent project Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisers (Delmark Records 2018) was commissioned by Chamber Music America’s New Jazz Works program with the generous support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and features a nonet of top-flight Chicago and New York artists. 

A committed educator, Bradfield is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University and has given master classes and lectures at the Brubeck Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, the Jazz Education Network conference, and numerous other national and international venues. 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel here!

The best herring bar in Copenhagen! Trusting our musical instincts! Why lineman are suited to be bassists! 

Connecting to the ineffable qualities of the music, bassist Clark Sommers inspires us to observe a holistic view of our craft. In this episode, we discuss the mentors who helped us develop an aesthetic for the music, the galvanizing effect of stepping into a bandleader role, and those moments when gigs come to a full stop.

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Clark Sommers Lens 

“By A Thread” (2017)

Getting to Know: Clark! 

Bassist, Composer and Educator, Clark has toured and performed extensively throughout the world. He has had the privilege of performing with Cedar Walton, Darrell Grant, Brian Blade, Ernie Watts, Bennie Maupin, Von Freeman, Ira Sullivan, Frank Wess, Charles McPherson, Peter Bernstein, Lin Haliday, Dana Hall, Jodie Christian, Bobby Broom, Jeff Parker, Ron Perrillo, Geof Bradfield, Michael Weiss, George Fludas, Kevin Mahogany, Eden Atwood, Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls, The Mighty Blue Kings and The Chicago Jazz Orchestra among others. 

Clark completed his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies and World Music at California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with bass masters Charlie Haden and Darek Oles. While living in Los Angeles, Clark performed with Leo Smith, Vinny Golia, The Charlie Haden Liberation Orchestra, Joe La Barbara and Larry Koonse. He continues to seek expansion of his craft by pursuing his musical studies with masters such as David Grossman of the New York Philharmonic, Mike Longo and Stefon Harris. He recently completed two residencies at the Brubeck Institute in Stockton California. 

Clark is proud to be at home in the bass chair with vocalist Kurt Elling, with whom he tours the globe bringing jazz to everyone from Istanbul to the Canary Islands. Thus far he has been privileged to play on two GRAMMY nominated recordings with the band, one of which won the GRAMMY for best vocal jazz album in 2009. 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here!

Fútbol! Shared admiration for Ben Folds! Too late for new pants! 

Across the many facets of his artistry, trombonist Robert Edwards has the refreshing ability to be the nicest guy in the room with the sharpest of chops. In this episode, we chat about fostering our interests to avoid artistic fatigue, maintaining a musical identity while adapting on the bandstand, and a wedding at Union Square that involves sly moves, Al Gore, and split pants. 

FEATURED RELEASE:

Vanessa Perea, Robert Edwards

“Home Life” (2021)

Getting to Know: Robert! 

Robert Edwards came to New York by way of West Palm Beach, FL. Following his graduation from New Jersey City University in 2008, he obtained his Masters at The Juilliard School in 2010.  He’s the winner of the 2018 Detroit Jazz Festival’s Curtis Fuller Low Brass/Trombone Competition, where was awarded with a performance slot on its Main Stage.  Other professional highlights include tours with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band and Roy Hargrove's Big Band. 

He currently leads the Robert Edwards Big Band and Quintet around New York at clubs clubs such as Smalls, the Django, and Swing 46.  He is currently professor of trombone and arranging at New Jersey City University and Queens College.  As a leader/coleader, he has 4 albums to his name, including “Sound Business” (2010), “Play Date” (2019), “Home Life” (2021), and “It Had To Be You” (2022). 
 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here!

Quintessential Danny Devito! Chekhov has entered the chat! Trying to turn knobs...and it didn't go well! 

Stoking the conversational flame, trumpeter John Lake organically assumes the role of storyteller with a wealth of interesting facts. In this episode, we chat about John’s fondness for Russian literature, how he found his crew that resulted in the New Alchemy Jazz Orchestra, and a mobile festival gig where the sound quality was at the mercy of a Roman-era power outlet. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

John Lake 

“Seven Angels” (2020) 

Getting to Know: John! 

John Lake is a trumpet player and composer living in New York City, maintaining a busy performance schedule as a jazz soloist and in-demand lead trumpet player and recording artist. John composes and arranges original music for his own acoustic jazz septet, The John Lake Ensemble, and is a co-leader of the New Alchemy Jazz Orchestra, which has featured such artists as Peter Bernstein, Dick Oatts, and Terrell Stafford, and has performed at Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. John's compositions and arrangements have been performed at colleges across the US. 

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here!

Non Sequitur Presents! Same Wavelength! “It’s not about the music!” 

Even in the midst of cursed winter travel, pianist Steven Feifke exudes an unmatched level of poise and thoughtfulness. In this episode, we chat about the transformation of unexpected setbacks into intentional successes, Steven’s philosophy of the five primary elements of music that inform his approach to writing, and a desolate restaurant gig where the act of miming a jazz pianist just wasn’t going to cut it. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Steven Feifke 

“The Role of the Rhythm Section” (2022)

Getting to Know: Steven Feifke 

Bandleader and composer Steven Feifke has been recognized by GRAMMY.com as one of six big band composers pushing the format forwards and heralded a “masterful pianist” by JAZZIZ Magazine. A two-time semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition, Feifke has been featured on stages around the world, having toured across Europe, Africa and Asia and has an extensive discography of over 30 albums. 

Feifke is an internationally recognized arranger and orchestrator, and has written commissioned works for notables like the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra featuring Sean Jones and John Faddis, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra with Ken Peplowski, the Malmo Big Band with Katie Thiroux, and the New Generation Festival with Orchestra Senzaspine and Dominick Farinacci. He is the recipient of the 2020 David Baker Prize in composition from the Ravinia Festival and serves as musical director for the Tony Award Winning actor and singer Santino Fontana. 

Feifke’s compositions and orchestrations have been prominently featured on such hit TV shows as Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee on Netflix, Impractical Jokers on TruTV, Animaniacs on Hulu, and Solo. His 2020 big band album “KINETIC” marks Feifke’s studio big band debut. 

Feifke is a member of the faculty at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and has appeared as a guest lecturer/artist at New York University, Yale University, Williams College, Moravian College, Northern Illinois University, and more. Feifke is the Co-Founder of A Step Ahead Jazz, alongside alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. Feifke holds a Bachelor's Degree from New York University and a Master’s Degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with true luminaries of composition and orchestration, Gil Goldstein and Jim McNeely. 

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here!

It’s a league game, Donny! Royalties to Nestle! Stranded in Bermuda! 

With perfect form in the lanes and on the stand, trumpeter Max Darché exhibits humility equal to that of his proficiency on the horn. In this episode, we chat about the stylistic influence of being a soloist and a lead player, approaching our musical heroes in a way that is conducive to building relationships, and a bus ride home with a healthy array of disconcerting hazards! 

FEATURED RELEASE:

Steven Feifke Big Band 

“Kinetic” (2021) 

Getting to Know: Max! 

Maxilmilien Darché received his Graduate Degree from Purchase College in May 2008 after studying under the guidance of legendary Jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. As a graduate student Darché was named as one of two inaugural James Moody Scholars. Prior to attending and receiving his undergraduate degree from Purchase College in 2006, Darché studied at Manhattan School of Music for several years, receiving tutelage from Lew Soloff and Vince Penzarella. 

Developing his career in music Darché has performed on Grammy Nominated Recordings and with various groups in New York and beyond, including appearances at Birdland, the Newport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and on Broadway. Darché has performed as a member of the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra of New York (the successor to the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band) since 2009, past performances include the NEA Jazz Masters Award Concert, the Blue Note Jazz Club NYC, the Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center. Darché has performed with jazz greats Ray Vega, Bob Mintzer, Renee Rosnes, Lew Soloff, Todd Coolman, Gary Smulyan, Dick Oatts, and Tom Harrell, among others. Darché also provides instruction to younger musicians, serving as a Professor of Music at Sacred Heart University. 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here!

Travel Mode: Engaged! Jazz Shark Tank! The Pursuit of Verification! 

No matter the zip code, vocalist and trumpeter Benny Benack III is the purveyor of the hang. In this episode, we chat about throwing caution to the wind to pursue “pie-in-the-sky” projects, we start the manifestation of the many projects that will surely result in a Bachelor-esque “BB3-Nation”, and an impromptu cutting session that may very well lead to a jazz spin-off of “Epic Rap Battles of History”. 

FEATURED RELEASE: 

Benny Benack III 

“A Lot of Livin’ to Do” (2020) 

Getting to Know: Benny Benack III! 

Benny Benack III is a trumpet player and vocalist based in New York City. Benny performs widely as a frontman for Postmodern Jukebox, the vintage music collective famed for canny old-school covers of modern pop. In early 2020, he released A Lot of Livin’ to Do, the follow-up to his well-received 2017 debut album One of a Kind, which features bassist Christian McBride and drummer/producer Ulysses Owens, Jr., as well as Takeshi Ohbayashi on piano and Rhodes. 

Benny has been showcased in international tours at Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, JALC’s “NY Jazz All-Stars” (Mexico) and extensively throughout Asia and Europe and has headlined festivals around the U.S. Benny has been featured at Birdland, Mezzrow, Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle and other leading New York venues. He has played in the house band for NBC’s “Maya & Marty,” and appeared as a multi-genre trumpet soloist with the Christian McBride Big Band, Diplo/Major Lazer, Ann Hampton Callaway, Melissa Errico, Josh Groban, Ben Folds, fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi and more. 

Benny was a 2014 finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition, and winner of the 2011 Carmine Caruso International Trumpet Competition. He is a clinician and educator, leading workshops for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz for Young People program, as well as the New York Youth Symphony’s Education department. In 2020 he led a panel at the annual Jazz Congress on Audience Engagement, together with Christian McBride, Marilyn Maye and Veronica Swift. 

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here!