[Cover photo credit to Matt Baker]
Emmy-nominated trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Benny Benack III has released his new album Third Time’s The Charm via La Reserve / Bandstand Presents. On his third full-length, Benack has assembled a New York band, featuring longtime collaborator and pianist Emmet Cohen, joined by bassist Russell Hall and drummer Kyle Poole.
Benack says:
Third Time’s the Charm feels like the perfect album at the perfect time in my life and artistic journey. Being able to share this record with a band composed of the brightest stars of jazz today and tomorrow (who also happen to be my best friends), it just makes me feel blessed that the joy we felt creating together shines through in the music as well.
In early 2020, Benack released A Lot of Livin’ to Do, the follow-up to his 2017 debut One of a Kind. The sophomore effort, featured bassist and Jazz ambassador Christian McBride.
Benack’s upcoming LP Third Time’s The Charm builds on the signature style of those previous releases.
He explains:
I feel like I perfected the formula from my previous two albums. I still get tagged in stories from the news in Venezuela, some guy and girl singing my song ‘Social Call,’ or someone in Indonesia is playing the transcription. And I really love that. People who liked the last record are gonna love this one.
He continues:
I tried to program it as if I was doing a two set concert. It has that New York kind of energy, being in the room at midnight at Smalls, or if you went to see me at Dizzys. If you’re seeing a live show, you love that zig zag and energy thrust of different styles. That’s how you put on a dynamic show. I wanted the album to reflect that.
Benny has also appeared as a trumpet soloist alongside Josh Groban, Ben Folds, Ann Hampton Callaway, and more. He also performs frequently in the house band of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Tour Dates:
July 28: Chris’ Jazz Cafe – Philadelphia, PA
August 10-11: Vic’s Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
August 12: San Jose Jazz Festival – San Jose, CA
August 25: Lewiston Jazz Festival – Lewiston, NY
August 26: Oshkosh Jazz Festival – Oshkosh, WI
September 1: Vail Jazz Festival 2023 – Vail, CO
