Have you ever put on a tux or a hand-made gown and gone out for an evening of dancing to some laid back ball-room jazz? Oh, it’s been many a moon, since I had the opportunity for fancy-dan-duds, and I was never much of a dancer. But…
I’ve always been a sucker for horns, and brushes on the skins. Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and “The Velvet Fog” were heard in my house as a youngster, along with plenty of other goodness. Brubeck, Davis, Stevie Wonder, Aretha, Dionne, Streisand (ok, I could have run away over the Streisand…) and all the classical and folk you could ask for. They formed a base for my tastes in wind instruments in school and college bands, and the events that naturally evolved from those performances gave me a nice taste of “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”
Tone, Class, and Style
A good friend sent me some things from Robert Bennion, that are perfect for a quiet afternoon like this one. Sax is Bennion’s main instrument, though he plays a bunch of them – and none too shabby at that. You just have to love good jazz sax. Whether traditional standards, or brand new improv, there is something about a sax that makes it capable of filling the soul with warmth. Rob Bennion is a master of using his instrument to do just that!
Ahead of the pack since he was a youngster, he was, “singing to himself long before he learned how to speak.” (www.robbenion.com/bio.html) He’s a world traveller, and connoisseur of a multitude of styles and moods. From reggae, to jazz, meregue, salsa, pop, and even several middle-eastern styles come out in Bennion’s music. Oh, I almost forgot cool electronica, pounding hiphop, and well, just about everything.
He’s lived and performed in Hawaii, Utah, Texas, Japan and “lots of places” (sorry for the lame “Highlander” reference). He’s back state-side, now, and his calendar is pretty full! Bennion does a variety of shows, both solo and with several different bands, based on the needs of the occasion. Travelling from coast to coast and thrilling crowds at private parties, major corporate events, fancy weddings, and plenty of other high-class shindigs is his pleasure.
If I put on a black tie affair…
Like I said, it’s been a decade or two since I needed a tux, but were I to get all slicked up for an evening at The Ritz, I would be thrilled to find Rob Bennion on the bill.
For anyone in need of a perfect ballroom band, Rob Bennion is the guy to call. He also does recording work. He’s available for sessions, on location or remotely. His arrangement skills can also be yours, as he makes himself available to assist with the sometimes difficult task of getting a piece to flow.
Be sure to check out his site and keep that contact info handy. You never know – even gritty rockers ZZ-Top recognized that “every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man!”
Contact Rob Bennion:
http://www.robbennion.com/
http://youtu.be/PEwJ3C32XII
http://soundcloud.com/suedemanagement
