Live Jazz in New York

At the age of 25, Pittsburgh-born musician Benny Benack III has been hailed by Nate Chinen of the New York Times as “a charismatic young trumpeter who maintains an earnest sideline as a singer”. As a dual-threat, he’s quickly established himself as one of the most versatile and virtuosic voices of his generation. He first made his mark internationally through competitions, winning the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Soloist Competition \(2011\), National Trumpet Competition for Jazz \(2010\), International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition \(2010\), and was most recently a Finalist for the prestigious Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition \(2014\). Demonstrating his versatility, he also was a Finalist in two vocal competitions, the Gentlemen Sing Competition \(2013\) and the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Vocalist Competition \(2014\). Delivering on the promise of his early career, he has since recorded albums as a sideman for musicians such as Ulysses Owens Jr., Michael Dease, and Chihiro Yamanaka, the latter on the iconic Blue Note Records label. Sought after as a trumpet soloist, he's played in nearly every major big band, including the Christian McBride Big Band, Mingus Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, Jimmy Heath Big Band, and Bobby Sanabria's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. An international touring schedule includes frequent engagements in Japan, Mexico, Russia, and most recently, Italy. When not on the road, he calls NYC home, and remains in-demand at the finest jazz venues in town, leading engagements at Jazz @ Lincoln Center’s “Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola”, The Blue Note, Birdland, SMOKE, Small’s, Fat Cat & the Iridium to name a few. He is featured as a vocalist during Jazz @ Lincoln Center’s upcoming 2016 Concert Series in the Appel Room, as a part of “Crooners” celebrating Bing Crosby, Mel Torme & Nat King Cole. He will soon be making his television debut, featured live on-air in the band for NBC's upcoming variety/comedy show "Maya & Martin" in June 2016. As an educator, Benack is highly sought after around the country as a clinician and masterclass presenter, known for his engaging and enthusiastic style with students. Throughout many schools, he leads The Benny Benack Band on behalf of Jazz @ Lincoln Center’s “Jazz For Young People” outreach program, as well as programs at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and is currently a Teaching Artist for the NY Pops Education Outreach Program. He is a two-time graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, obtaining his Master of Music degree in \(2015\). He is endorsed by Torpedo Bag cases, and Carol Brass flugelhorns.

THE NEW YORK OUD FESTIVAL presents: ALBERT AGHA Day 1 of the New York Oud festival will feature oudist Albert Agha. Seating is limited, first-come first-served. This program will bring together classical Arab repertoire, featuring works from Egyptian and Syrian traditions, alongside original compositions rooted in classical forms, performed through voice and oud. It includes the premiere of a new instrumental work that explores musical bridges between the Middle East and Southeast Asia, emerging from Agha’s research into the integration of modal systems across cultural traditions. Albert Nasser Agha - Oud & Vocals Insia Malik - Violin Gabe Lavin - Buzuq Alber Basee l - percussion Albert Nasser Agha is an ethnomusicologist, music educator, and director. He holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studied under the distinguished composer and scholar A. J. Racy. Originally from Aleppo, Dr. Agha is both a scholar and performer whose work bridges rigorous academic inquiry with deeply embodied musical practice. A vocalist and oudist, he grounds his scholarship in lived experience. An accomplished interpreter of the classical Arab repertoire, Dr. Agha has performed at leading cultural institutions and international stages across North America and the Middle East, with performances characterized by expressive depth and historical nuance. The New York Oud Festival is a multi-day, multi-venue music festival that displays the oud and its versatility as it exists in New York's diverse musical culture. The NYOF celebrates the oud and its wide-ranging influence on global music culture, showcasing artists from a multitude of traditions and contexts, and demonstrating why the oud continues to be one of the world's most beloved instruments. 7pm to 9:30pm $20 Tickets Pay now online now or in person that night Tickets do not guarantee seating.

About Weekly jazz brunch duos and trios, and more, with guitarist Peter Rubie, (opposite the beautiful gardens of the cathedral of St John the Divine), featuring some of New York's finest established and emerging jazz singers and instrumentalists. Downtown you’d have to stay up late and pay a music charge to see these guys. No Cover! Atmosphere is relaxed, children are welcome, food is excellent by Executive Chef Federico Terminiello https://www.facebook.com/peter.m.rubie www.peterrubie.com

About Weekly jazz brunch duos and trios, and more, with guitarist Peter Rubie, (opposite the beautiful gardens of the cathedral of St John the Divine), featuring some of New York's finest established and emerging jazz singers and instrumentalists. Downtown you’d have to stay up late and pay a music charge to see these guys. No Cover! Atmosphere is relaxed, children are welcome, food is excellent by Executive Chef Federico Terminiello https://www.facebook.com/peter.m.rubie www.peterrubie.com

Multi-award-winning vocalist extraordinaire Jazzmeia Horn’s name speaks for itself—with her stunning vocals, inspired scatting and irresistible vivacity, Horn is redefining jazz tradition. Drawing on her love for iconic singers of the 1950s and ‘60s such as Nina Simone and Sara Vaughan, but with a sound that is completely her own, Horn’s live shows are renowned for leaving audiences spellbound, as she showcases her impressive verbal acrobatics and idiosyncratic charm. As one reviewer aptly put it, “there is nothing like a live performance that leaves you speechless, elated and buoyant; the virtuosity and creativity exuded by Jazzmeia Horn did exactly that” \(Isolated Nation\).

If one word could be used to describe La Tanya Halls talent, it would have to be diverse. Her versatility in a variety of musical genres has allowed her to travel the world and work with some of the worlds most celebrated artists, including Steely Dan, Seal, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin, and Rob Thomas, among others. La Tanyas voice has been described as powerfully sensuous, a show stealer and beautifully musical in a number of reviews from around the world. And her stage presence has been touted as brilliant and extremely engaging. As one review, Stephen Mosher from BBW magazine, so aptly stated, On empowered, emboldened display are talent, musical vocabulary, and emotional range with crystal clear intentions. Some singers can bring all the feelings to the lyrics they sing, but this singer takes all those emotions and channels them into every vocalise. Listeners, prepare to be hypnotized. La Tanya Hall is like an enticing but elusive guest at your cocktail party - fascinating, interesting, and leaning against the wall as every other guest comes to her, spellbound by sheer star power.

If one word could be used to describe La Tanya Halls talent, it would have to be diverse. Her versatility in a variety of musical genres has allowed her to travel the world and work with some of the worlds most celebrated artists, including Steely Dan, Seal, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin, and Rob Thomas, among others. La Tanyas voice has been described as powerfully sensuous, a show stealer and beautifully musical in a number of reviews from around the world. And her stage presence has been touted as brilliant and extremely engaging. As one review, Stephen Mosher from BBW magazine, so aptly stated, On empowered, emboldened display are talent, musical vocabulary, and emotional range with crystal clear intentions. Some singers can bring all the feelings to the lyrics they sing, but this singer takes all those emotions and channels them into every vocalise. Listeners, prepare to be hypnotized. La Tanya Hall is like an enticing but elusive guest at your cocktail party - fascinating, interesting, and leaning against the wall as every other guest comes to her, spellbound by sheer star power.

If one word could be used to describe La Tanya Halls talent, it would have to be diverse. Her versatility in a variety of musical genres has allowed her to travel the world and work with some of the worlds most celebrated artists, including Steely Dan, Seal, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Ross, Harry Belafonte, Aretha Franklin, and Rob Thomas, among others. La Tanyas voice has been described as powerfully sensuous, a show stealer and beautifully musical in a number of reviews from around the world. And her stage presence has been touted as brilliant and extremely engaging. As one review, Stephen Mosher from BBW magazine, so aptly stated, On empowered, emboldened display are talent, musical vocabulary, and emotional range with crystal clear intentions. Some singers can bring all the feelings to the lyrics they sing, but this singer takes all those emotions and channels them into every vocalise. Listeners, prepare to be hypnotized. La Tanya Hall is like an enticing but elusive guest at your cocktail party - fascinating, interesting, and leaning against the wall as every other guest comes to her, spellbound by sheer star power.