Richard Benitez III: A Bay Area Love Story
Trumpeter Richard Benitez III celebrates his Bay Area musical journey with a quintet showcasing the deep roots and contemporary evolution of West Coast jazz. Drawing from the improvised music traditions he absorbed growing up in San Francisco and Oakland, Benitez brings together artists who embody the region's diverse musical landscape.
Benitez has built his reputation collaborating with Bay Area legends including Steve Turre, Faye Carol, and Marcus Shelby, while also working with national artists like Jill Scott, Jazzmeia Horn, and Jason Moran. His trumpet playing reflects the knowledge gained from mentors across hip-hop (Souls of Mischief, P-Lo), R&B (Goapele, Ruby Ibarra), and jazz communities, weaving together the musical threads that define Bay Area improvisation.
The quintet features rising talents who represent the next generation of Bay Area jazz. Bassist Isaac Coyle brings his Berklee training and experience with Terri Lyne Carrington's Grammy-winning New Standards band to his post-bop and contemporary jazz approach. Pianist Kevin Person Jr. delivers dynamic energy rooted in his gospel foundation and decades of soulful, improvisational performances across California. Drummer Jaycie Grady blends bebop and hard bop fundamentals with influences from dance music and punk rock, creating a contemporary sound that swings with modern edge.
Adding a unique dimension to the group, vocalist Joshua Carter brings his Nashville background in orchestral scoring and country music arranging. His diverse experience composing for PBS and National Geographic, plus his work with the Nashville Ballet and country touring artists, adds an unexpected harmonic richness to the ensemble.
The show's title, "A Bay Area Love Story," suggests a tribute to the musical community that shaped these artists. Expect to hear improvised music that honors jazz tradition while embracing the eclectic influences that make Bay Area music distinctive—from the street sounds of San Francisco and Oakland to the cross-pollination between jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and beyond.