10.2.12 Late Night Jazz Orchestra featuring: Bennie Maupin + Duane Benjamin + Meloney Collins

Under the direction of Ian Roller, David Shorr and Joseph Field this ensemble’s personnel fluctuates to include some of Los Angeles’ finest instrumentalists.

Regular line-up:

SAXOPHONES
Ian Roller
Camille Ramirez
Colin Kupka
Ian Anderson
Austin Yancey

TROMBONES
Ryan Dragonn
Jonah Levine
Joseph Field
Tom Keel

TRUMPETS
Dave Richards
Brandyn Phillips
Marcus Paul
Mitchell Cooper
Connor McElwain

RHYTHM
p-Alexander Nizzoli
g-David Shorr
b-John Urban
d-Brijesh Pandya

Late Night Jazz Orchestra website

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bennie Maupin’s highly personal bass clarinet sound helped define such classic jazz recordings as Miles Davis’Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, Big Fun and On the Corner, as well as recordings by Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi band, and the Headhunters. The multi-woodwind player has also recorded with Marion Brown, Chick Corea, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Jack DeJohnette, Andrew Hill, Eddie Henderson and Woody Shaw, to name only a few.

The instrumentation of Maupin’s current group, The Bennie Maupin Ensemble, harkens back to the tradition of great saxophone-bass-drum trios, such as the group led by Sonny Rollins with Wilbur Ware and Elvin Jones. Maupin’s approach to his music is intentional and profound, yet alive in the interpretation of the moment.

Jazz legend Bennie Maupin follows his highly acclaimed 2006 CD Penumbra, with Early Reflections, a beautiful recording of Maupin’s European quartet featuring pianist Michal Tokaj, and guest vocalist Hania Rybka.

“ A passionate outing of rumination and whimsy in the company of an all-Polish trio.”

– Dan Ouellette, BILLBOARD

“A sublime mix of in the moment improvisation and synchronistic quartet interplay.”

– Scott Gallaway, URBAN NETWORK

 Bennie Maupin website

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Duane Benjamin is an accomplished Musician, Orchestrator and Arranger. For over 30 years he has made a successful living playing trombone, electric bass, and arranging “clean, easy to read charts” for industry legends and everyday musicians alike.

“Ben-jamin’s charts are clean, clear and easy to read with nice voicings. The copy work is very professional!
I highly recommend them.”
~ Stanley Clark

His orchestrations are featured regularly on FOX Television’s American Idol! He has also arranged and orchestrated for NBC’s The Singing Bee as well as The Voice. On BET’S Gospel Celebration he has orchestrated for artists like Keyshia Cole, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Alexander Hamilton, and legendary soul singer Al Green.

“Ben-jamin”, as he is affectionately known, picked up the trombone at the age of 8 and never put it down. He has performed and recorded with jazz greats like the Count Basie Orchestra, Stanley Clark, The Gerald Wilson Orchestra and The Clayton – Hamilton Orchestra, not to mention contemporary legends like Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Joss Stone, Diana Ross, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamiroquai, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, rock guitarist Steve Vai, Kirk Franklin and many more.

“I’ve been very blessed to make a living playing, writing, and teaching all sorts of music. Life is music, truly. I am so grateful.”

 Duane Benjamin website

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

photo by Noel Truick

 Meloney Collins website