Vibes player and drummer Michael Benedict named this 10-year old band to tell us which of his two instruments he plays alongside David Gleason, piano; Mike Lawrence, bass; and Pete Sweeney drums.
Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes, from left: Michael Benedict, Pete Sweeney, Mike Lawrence and David Gleason. Photographed at the Karen B. Johnson Schenectady County Public Library in April. Michael Hochanadel photo
All but Benedict also play in the Art D’echo Trio while Benedict’s resume includes Bopitude, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and the Spike Jones Orchestra. Gleason plays with the Keith Pray Big Soul Ensemble and his own Sensemaya, while both Lawrence and Sweeney play in the Joey Thomas Big Band and Sweeney played with the Dickey Betts Band.
Benedict’s drummer dad inspired him to play, as did drummer Peter Erskine and vibraphonist Gary Burton, but he didn’t play jazz until college. At SUNY Potsdam, he studied drums with Jim Peterscak and earned a degree in music education. Following with a masters in jazz studies at Rutgers, he worked with Keith Copeland and privately with Ray Mosca, but never studied vibraphone professionally.
His first band, in high school, was the Five Cs – “Couth, Class, Charisma, Character and Corigliano.” Benedict recalls them as “a legend in our own minds.” His first payday was $25 with the Pauly Falvo Trio at Utica’s Eagle Club.
Michael Benedict. Michael Hochanadel photo
Michael Benedict Jazz Vibes – which has released three albums– plays jazz and Latin standards with about 10 percent originals. “There’s a big emphasis on improvisation,” says Benedict. “Everyone in the band is featured.”
Not surprising for a percussionist, Benedict approaches the standard jazz repertoire this way: “Basically, come up with a rhythm concept and adapt the song to the groove.”
Jazz Vibes also plays June 22 and Aug. 24 at Stella Pasta Bar, July 14 at Margarita City (with guest singer Kaitlyn Fay), also July 16 at Lark Tavern (trio lineup) and July 20 at 9 Maple Avenue (full lineup); all four also play sideman gigs.
Jazz on Jay free concerts are noon to 1:30 p.m. at Jay Square, the newly park space opposite Schenectady City Hall. The rain site is Robb Alley at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. Seating is provided indoors at Robb Alley, but patrons are invited to bring their own seating and refreshments to Jay Square.
Jazz on Jay is presented by the ElectriCity Arts and Entertainment District and sponsored by the New York State Council on the Arts, a Schenectady County Legislature Arts & Culture Grant, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, The Schenectady Foundation, Price Chopper/Market 32, MVP Health Care, Schenectady County, Schenectady City Hall, and Proctors Collaborative.
Hoke's Jukebox 