Such an incredible musician whose mind, spirit and soul are surrounded by a peace that exudes in his compositions.  The sound of the bass clarinet is like no other and there are not too many who attempt to express its beauty.

Bennie is a thinker.  In person and on stage there is never a rush to answer, there is always space and there is always time.  As a matter of fact, whatever mood or energetic space you happen to be in, one sentence, one sound, one note and the frequency changes to Bennie just like a compass, the magnetism is 100% and always accurate.

Early Reflections

Tonight is a celebration for a new CD release called “Early Reflections”.  On it he collaborates with some fine musicians from Poland and their synergy create the right kind of vibe.  Playing with Polish cats is nothing new to Bennie since Derek Oles has been a core member of his band for quite some time.  Other regular members of the group include Munyungo Jackson on percussion and Michael Stephans on drums. Bennie said that “Trane had Elvin and I have Michael”, a musical statement that every jazz aficionado knows not to take with a grain of salt. This is the first time that we get to hear from pianist Michael Tokai who was flown in all the way from Warsaw Poland to play with the band.

Believe it or not, Poland is big on the music.  When I use to work at KKJZ back in 2003, I had a few regular folks who used to listen from there.  When I visited Chicago, I descended on the community that had more Polish people than Warsaw and I went to a Polish jazz festival that was packed with Polish love for the music!

Bennie switches from bass clarinet to tenor to flute to alto but when the wind passes through the instrument you can feel the calm nature of the life spirit he possesses. He plays “My One and Only Love” which of course puts me in touch with mine. Back in 2006 when my love Hydeus Kiatta was transitioning worlds, Bennie’s album “Penumbra” was a constant source of peace and serenity. It was one of the saddest, meaningful and most beautiful times in my life and the music was our bonding our souls forever.

Hanya Ripka is a wonderful spirit who happen to really impress Bennie when he visited Poland.  Many singers want to sing with Bennie and he never takes them seriously but when presented with the undeniable truth, you have no choice but to indulge in the fresh, spiritual, organic, classical, penetrating tone of this wonderful discovery.

 For many singers, out front is their position of choice and for some their voice takes on another instrument in the band.  Of course, I am curious on a Polish approach to vocalese so I am paying close attention to how she phrases, shapes and molds the sound.  She listens and you can tell that she hears and feels as she duals with Bennie’s soprano. I love to see her smile because there is so much happiness and humility there yet she is so confident in her vocal ability. I prefer that perspective as appose to insecurity that I usually seem to come in contact with when it comes to singers trying to make it in the vein. If you have it, breathe it, be it, believe in it and let the nature of the beast speak for itself.

This last tune was dedicated to Prophet Jennings, a great painter and artist who lived and breathed amongst the jazz world. “Prophet’s Motifs” walks and swings with some funky cool ass personality so Brotha Prophet must have been quite the cat. He recently passed away but his spirit remains alive and well in the form of his daughter who radiates beauty, spirit, color, humor, style, happiness and all of the wonderful things that you can ask for in life; his greatest and truest masterpiece!

 This performance was their first time playing in the universe and yes, magic does happen.  They are on their way to New York City to start their tour and can’t imagine anything but overwhelming success!

The new disc “Early Reflections" is on Cryptogramophone records and is available for consumption. One hundred percent nutrients with no sugar added!

LeRoy Downs