Benjamin Rodefer - "Bent To Be"

Benjamin Rodefer “Bent To Be”

Editorial Review (from Amazon):

Guitar Player Magazine, as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration, named Benjamin Rodefer the world's 'Best Unknown Jazz Guitarist.' This CD, his first release as a leader, features a fantastic line up of burning young players including pianist Michael Wolff, who has played with Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson. There are six of Rodefer's original compositions here, ranging from the exquisite acoustic ballad, "Shh...It's Only Me", to the searing post-Bop of "Twisted". There are traces of live Miles Davis albums from the late 60's, "Bootini", as well as tips of the hat to Rodefer's contemporaries, "Sco's Big Shoe." There are two standards as well. Both presented in a fresh light. "Contemplation", a McCoy Tyner ballad, is poignant and expressive with Eric Crystal at his lyric best on Soprano. "Stella" is played primarily trio with guitar, tenor and drums. The band's intuitive interplay and explosive energy should make this version an instant classic. A cohesive and well-crafted record, Bent To Be features wonderful playing, deep grooves and strong compositions. A must have for all contemporary jazz collections. Eric Crystal, on saxophones, has played with Charlie Hunter, Omar Sosa, Ernie Watts and Paul McCandless. John Shifflet, on acoustic bass, has played with John Zorn, Bobby Hutcherson, Mel Torme, Harold Land and Peter Apfelbaum. Alan Hall, on drums, has performed and recorded with Jerry Bergonzi, Mick Goodrick and Dave Liebman.

From the new album:

1. Bent To Be!	5. Shh...It's Only Me
2. Sco's Big Shoe	6. Twisted
3. Contemplation	7. Bootini
4. Stella	8. The Long Road Home

Band members:

Benjamin Rodefer -Acoustic, Electric & Synth Guitars
Eric Crystal -Saxophones
Michael Wolff -Piano & Rhodes
John Shifflett -Acoustic Bass
Alan Hall –Drums

About the Artist :

Benjamin Rodefer is featured on numerous other recordings current and pending release, including:
Michael Wolff, "Portraiture: The Blues Period", 31 Hertz, "31 Hertz", Jungle Wolf, Title TBA (featuring Alex Foster, Victor Bailey, and Michael Wolff), and Dmitri Matheny, “Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag”. Guitar Player Magazine named Benjamin Rodefer the "Best Unknown Jazz Guitarist in the World" as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration ("a dubious honor at best" -br).

Benjamin Rodefer has performed/recorded with: Roy Hargrove, Michael Brecker, Antonio Hart, Benny Green, Javon Jackson, Gary Burton, Michael Wolff, Craig Handy, Michael Manring, Kai Eckhart, Danny Heines, Vicki Randall, Mike Stern, Paul Hanson, Rebecca Paris, Tracy Bonham, Matt Rollings, Bobby Hutcherson, Aaron Scott, Essiet Essiet, Roy McCurdy, Mike Clark, Dick Berk, Dwayne Burno, Jesse Rodefer, Danilo Perez , Kenny Rankin and many, many other wonderful players.

e-mail Benjamin

Contemporary and Modern Art