Benny Powell - Trombonist
Powell's music is a vehicle for expressing his unique personality. As jazz critic Nat Hentoff has written, "Benny Powell's playing has always had a flowing coherence. The stories he tells are not fragmentary; they're complete. So, too, is his writing and arranging." Now, with the dawning of the new millennium, this accomplished instrumentalist and composer has begun reinventing himself as a singer and lyricist, as well. Toward that end, Powell recently recorded a collection of his engaging melodies and inspiring lyrics, backed by an all-star ensemble. Powell is a big favorite with both nightclub audiences and jazz critics. Sometimes performing alongside pianist Jane Jarvis and bassist Earl May, Powell and his long-time colleagues have delighted listeners worldwide with their straight-forward presentation of familiar standardsandoriginal compositions. For the past 15 years he also has played with pianist Randy Weston's African Rhythms. In addition, he works as a solo act and in the past year appeared at jazz festivals in Japan, Italy, France, and Los Angels. Dedicated to keeping the jazz tradition alive, Powell devotes a large portion of his time to a broad range of educational endeavors, bringing the message of jazz to all levels of students, from kindergarten to university. He regularly presents an oral/musical history of African-American music, Jazz Stories, has taught at Barry Harris' Jazz Cultural Theater, Jazzmobile,and Long Island University, and currently is a professor at The New School. He also is a much sought -after private teacher, and conducts clinics and residencies at high schools and colleges. Powell also is a committed activist on behalf of jazz-related causes. In 1978 he founded the non-profit organization, the Los Angels Committee on Jazz, and he has served on panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians. Born in New Orleans, Powell was a member of Lionel Hampton's big band and gained national attention during his twelve years with Count Basie. Since leaving Basie in 1963 Powell has enjoyed a full, divers career. He has worked in orchestras for numerous Broadway shows and was one of the first jazz musicians to perform regularly on television, as a member of the Merv Griffin Show band. Powell can be heard on countless recordings with the likes of Count Basie, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Benny Carter, the heath Brothers, and Randy Weston, among many others, as well as his own CDs, Why Don't You Say "Yes," Sometime?!(Inspire Productions), The Highest Mountain, and The Gift of Love. His current Quintet has been active playing in venues in and around New York city. " Benny Powell was one of my first influences and teachers. I have enjoyed more and more his musical and professional contributions. I respect and admire him" - Slide Hampton " I enjoyed playing the Trombone because it has so many possibilities. I think it can be very passionate and it can be a bombastic instrument. It can create an unlimited variety of sound pictures,,,,,it really is a sly devil! - Benny Powell |
Benny Powell is one of the most versatile trombonists and jazz lecturers on the contemporary music scene. He is a world class musician who draws upon his vast experience, deep roots in the jazz tradition, and a driving creativity to expand his concept of modern music.