BENITO GONZALEZ TRIO

Two-time Grammy nominee Benito Gonzalez is joined by legends Buster Williams and Lenny White.

Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Benito Gonzalez grew up immersed in traditional Venezuelan folk music before discovering jazz through the playing of Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett, an early inspiration that shaped his powerful, Afro-Latin-infused approach to the piano. Gonzalez made his way to the United States by a serendipitous route, an American cultural ambassador caught one of his trio gigs and later invited him to Washington, D.C.

He went on to play with Jackie McLean in 2003, then spent nearly seven years touring with Kenny Garrett’s quartet, earning two Grammy nominations for the recordings Seeds from the Underground and Pushing the World Away. In 2019 he joined NEA Jazz Master and Coltrane protégé Pharoah Sanders as pianist and musical director. A 2005 winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition and a Steinway artist since 2020, Gonzalez has shared the stage with Dave Liebman, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Al Foster, and many others.

Joining him are two of the most legendary rhythm section players in jazz history. Bassist Buster Williams has anchored some of the most important recordings and bands of the past six decades, from Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis to McCoy Tyner and Ron Carter, and remains one of the most revered bassists in the music. Drummer Lenny White, a member of the original lineup of Return to Forever and a Grammy-winning legend in his own right, brings a depth of groove and history matched by few. Together, this trio represents three generations of jazz mastery converging in one room.

The Band:
Benito Gonzalez – Piano
Buster Williams – Bass
Lenny White – Drums

Cover: $38.57