A Midnight Rendezvous

by David Benoit

Overview

Pianist David Benoit augments his lyrical contemporary jazz sound with a handful of swinging big-band numbers on 2022's artful A Midnight Rendezvous. One of the key architects of what became known as smooth jazz, Benoit has always evinced a deep grasp of a variety of musical styles. While his early work dipped into funk and electric fusion, he has also explored elements of classical, acoustic modern jazz, as well as instrumental pop and R&B. He brings all of these influences to bear on A Midnight Rendezvous, balancing his contemporary leanings with more traditional ones. Of the former, we get the moody, minor-key title track with its subtle Latin groove that brings to mind the work of Carlos Santana. From there he dives into "Pioneer Town," a relaxed finger-snapper co-written by and featuring fellow keyboardist Jeff Lorber. There are also several engaging covers, including a reworking of Maren Morris' "The Bones" and a sparkling solo piano rendition of the Dave Koz ballad "You Make Me Smile." All of this is immaculately produced and fits nicely alongside the best of Benoit's work. That said, it's the three big-band tracks that round out the album that are the biggest surprise. Benoit has worked in large ensemble settings over the years, including his time with the GRP All-Star Big Band, however these recordings are his first big-band tracks under his own name. Helping Benoit bring these arrangements to life is an adept 12-member ensemble featuring such esteemed players as alto saxophonist Eric Marienthal, tenor saxophonist Gordon Goodwin, trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, drummer Dan Schnelle, and others. The most ambitious of the three tracks is "Generations," a spritely Dave Brubeck-esque composition rife with warm horn and sax harmonies that moves from a buoyant Latin rhythm into more broadly swinging old-school jazz sections. We also get the album-closing "Cabin Fever," a hard-swinging blues that, as with much of A Midnight Rendezvous, reveals Benoit's strikingly ebullient jazz chops. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	02/18/2022
Label:	SHANACHIE
UPC:	0016351549327

Album Credits

Performance Credits

David Benoit   Primary Artist,Piano,Conductor,Keyboards,Fender Rhodes
John Robinson   Drums
Dan Schnelle   Drums,Percussion
Ben Williams   Bass
Fransisco Torres   Trombone
Justin Klunk   Sax (Soprano)
MonoNeon   Bass
Dan Rosenblum   Trumpet
Jeff Lorber   Keyboards
Eric Marienthal   Sax (Alto)
Wayne Bergeron   Trumpet
Roberto Vally   Sequencing,Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
Luis Conte   Percussion
Sal Lozano   Sax (Alto)
Daniel Fornero   Trumpet
John "J.R." Robinson   Drums
Pat Kelley   Guitar (Acoustic)
Gordon Goodwin   Sax (Tenor)
Charlie Morillas   Trombone (Bass)
Jay Mason   Sax (Baritone)

Technical Credits

June Benoit   Music Preparation
Kei Benoit   Music Preparation
Glenn Gordon   Design,Cover Photo
Harriet Tam   Engineer
Robert Vally   Composer
Steve Sykes   Mixing,Engineer
David Koz   Composer
Jeff Lorber   Composer
Eric Marienthal   Contractor
Jeff Koz   Composer
Roberto Vally   Composer
Maren Morris   Composer
David Benoit   Arranger,Composer,Orchestration,Executive Producer
Jimmy Robbins   Composer
Clark Germain   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Bud Harner   Producer,Executive Producer
Dave Koz   Composer
Laura Veltz   Composer
Rouble Kapoor   Assistant Engineer