CD review: Benny Green – Then And Now 2018: Video

2018 release. Although featured in a wide variety of performance arenas, Green is in his element and shines as the leader of the Benny Green Trio.

With drumming master Kenny Washington and revered bassist David Wong completing the piano trio, Green commands the stage, delighting international audiences in his 38th year as a bandleader. It was only natural that this trio would become the springboard for Green’s recent new musical adventures. A recording session led by prodigy vocalist Veronica Swift made such an impact on Green that he expanded his own generally instrumental traditions and began collaborating with both Swift and his trio. Green’s authoritative skill at the keyboard and hard-swinging ensemble were the perfect sonic landscape for Swift’s masterful musicianship and organic approach to scat singing, with Swift proving her voice was the perfect soloing instrument to complement Green’s stylistic swing.

01.Donny Hath A Way
02.For Regulars Only
03.Latin America
04.Naturally
05.Minor Contention
06.Enchanted Forest
07.Split Kick
08.Say You’re Mine
09.Humphrey
10.Hipsippy Blues
11.Something I Dreamed Last Night
12.Wiggin’

Veronica Swift – vocals
Anne Drummond – flute & alto flute
Benny Green – piano & electric piano
David Wong – bass
Josh Jones – percussion
Kenny Washington – drums

Label: Sunnyside