http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vhwa5rzhs0&feature=related


http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=923&ParentId=87

Good stuff, always liked David Benoit.

Benoit is one of the guys who has figured out how to leverage fantastic talent into a decent living without compromising his musical integrity. Besides being a primary GRP artist, he's "everywhere" as an arranger/ producer.

I was listening to a favorite-George Benson's "Here, There and Everywhere", and Benoit was the arranger/producer/pianist.

Last week, I pulled out my favorite Kenny Rankin album to listen to "Hiding Inside Myself", one of my all-time favorite "gems".
(Rankin's pretty cool-check him out if you don't know his stuff). Anyway, you guessed it, the tune was arranged and produced by Benoit.

David is one supurb example of what professional musicianship is all about. The talent is obvious. When you look at his life and work, it's also obvious that he's a "Class Act". He knows that his commitment to his art limits the size of the audience, and, even though he's at the top of his game, he probably makes about as much as the CEO of a small company with $50 million in annual sales. He takes a little flack for his "easy listening" stuff, but that's how he increased his visibility and income. George Benson did the same thing with "Breezin"...lot's of criticism from the hard-line jazz community. He had a long series of well-received albums thst only sold modestly. He was gettig out of the business. Then, "Breezin" sold 9 million copies, and, as they say, the rest was history. No apologies from Benson or Benoit for "selling out". And there shouldn't be.

Benoit 'sticks to his guns", lives with the restrictions and makes the world a better and more enlightened place in the process.

To me, that's what it's all about.

Thanks, Donny. I won't tell anyone that you're really a "closet jazzer", chicken hat and all. It's really a "Back to the Chicken Shack" hat, I think.


Russ

I might not play Jazz because I wann't trained that way as a kid ....but I did learn in my musical upbringing to appreciate & absorb good music in many forms played from the Soul including Jazz also as in these Videos. BTW the drum solo was outstanding also
Not to get off topic but these new model Roland Stage Pianos are so advanced and they have really hit the mark with the new GX series for sure.

Now wheres that Kenny Rankin video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhrK7i8qJ8Q




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-15-2008).]

Great post Donny. I've always liked David and I have the Rd 700. It's the one that came out before the gx. It's an awesome keyboard. The feel is almost as good as my Yamaha grand.

Ciao,

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Donny, I would not be surprised if Kenny didn't have a video. He's a cult kind of guy that has about 10 albums and does 300 jobs a year; some as a single and some with a small group. He's sort of in the class of Billy Vera...a big following of musicians, but a 2nd tier guy when it comes to widespread recognition. I used to see a "who's who" of famous people at Vera concerts in the late 60's. His only national hit was the one that premiered on the Micheal J. Fox show..."If I could Just See You Again"...that's the prominent line...don't really think that's the title. I play it regularly, but don't know the real name.


Rankin and Vera are interesting...not really jazz players/singers, but super talented, long careers and lot's of respect from musicians, other singers, etc. The fact that Rankin has no problem enlisting guys like Benoit to work on projects says it all.

What an interestig business we're all in!


Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 08-15-2008).]

"If I could Jusat See You Again"...that's the prominent line...don't really think that's the title. I play it regularly, but don't know the real name. "

At This Moment.
donM

Thanks, Don...senior moments, you know!

Russ

Donny, thanks so much for locating "Hiding Inside Myself" That set of visuals is the essence of sensitive creativity.

Kenny is one of those rare finds that helps make music the powerful life force that it is.

I think he's GREAT!


Russ

Just so you don't think that Kenny is just a sentimental ballad singer, a little further investigation will show that he can kick ass on up-tempo and creative rythem creations.

R.

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 08-15-2008).]