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Benny Benack III: Third Time's The Charm

By Jack Bowers
August 14, 2023
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Benny Benack III: Third Time's The Charm

While it remains to be seen whether rising star

Benny Benack III

trumpet and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Benack III's third album as leader is a charm (that is up to the listener), it is definitely a charmer, with delightful turns by trumpeter (and vocalist) Benack and pianist

Emmet Cohen

piano
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Emmet Cohen complementing stellar performances by a number of well-known and talented guest artists.

This is basically a quintet date (Benack, Cohen, tenor saxophonist

Ruben Fox

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Ruben Fox, bassist

Russell Hall

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Hall, drummer

Kyle Poole

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kyle Poole) enriched by star turns along the way by tenors

Chad Lefkowitz-Brown

saxophone, tenor
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Chad Lefkowitz-Brown and

Michael Stephenson

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Stephenson (who also sings), trumpeter/vocalist

Bria Skonberg

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Bria Skonberg and guitarist

Peter Bernstein

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Bernstein. Cohen, another up-and-coming young lion, is showcased prominently throughout (thumbs up for that), dueting with Benack on Meredith Willson's "Gary, Indiana" (as does Bernstein on the sardonic "Thank You for the Heartache" and Hall on "American Woman").

As Benack is listed on the jacket as composer and arranger, he presumably wrote those numbers as well as the seven other originals (on five of which he sings, showing considerable proficiency in that area as well). In fact, Benack and Skonberg's vocal and trumpet interplay on Duke Ellington's "In a Mellow Tone" is one of the album's highlights. Another is the Benack/Stephenson duet on the saucy finale, "Pretty Eyed Baby," a throwback to the repartee of

Louis Jordan

saxophone, alto
1908 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Jordan,

Jay McShann

piano
1909 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Jay McShann,

Slim Gaillard

vocals
1916 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Slim Gaillard and other hipsters of a bygone era.

"Third Time's the Charm" is a sunny opener, its Dixie-bred framework underscoring a pleasing vocal by Benack and earnest solos by Fox and Cohen balancing his luminous trumpet. Benack sings again (and quite well) on the standard "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," then welcomes Bernstein on board for the light-hearted "Scootin,'" Chad Lefkowitz-Brown for the likable "Catching Drift." Bernstein returns for "Heartache" and Benack's "Jade," Lefkowitz-Brown for the mild-tempered "Twilight Blue."

"Gary, Indiana" is next, followed by "In a Mellow Tone" and the Tom Jones mega-hit, "It's Not Unusual," featuring another admirable vocal by Benack, excellent solo by Fox, overdubbed "duet" by Benack on trumpet and voice. Stephenson weighs in on the buoyant "Roylike," on which Cohen switches to the more soft-pedaled Fender Rhodes. Three more ardent Benack vocals ("Jade," "American Woman," "Giselle," the last two featuring Russell's bass) precede the nimble "Pretty Eyed Baby." It is a handsome windup to a thoroughly resplendent and agreeable third time out by the virtuosic Benny Benack III and his chameleon-like convoy.

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Track Listing

Third Time's The Charm; I'll Never Fall in Love Again; Scootin'; Catching Drift; Thank You For The Heartbreak; Gary, Indiana; In A Mellow Tone; It's Not Unusual; Twilight Blue; Roylike; Jade; American Woman; Giselle; Pretty Eyed Baby.

Personnel

Benny Benack III

trumpet and vocals

Emmet Cohen

piano

Russell Hall

bass

Kyle Poole

drums

Ruben Fox

saxophone

Chad Lefkowitz-Brown

saxophone, tenor

Peter Bernstein

guitar

Additional Instrumentation

Michael Stephenson: tenor saxophone, vocals.

Album information

Title: Third Time's The Charm | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: La Reserve/Bandstand Presents

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