David Benoit: 2 In Love

For three decades, the Grammy nominated pianist/composer/arranger David Benoit has ruled supreme as one of the founding fathers of contemporary jazz. But, like an actor who has been known primarily for one role, he wanted to show other dimensions of his artistry, influenced by Stephen Sondheim, Burt Bacharach, Dave Grusin and Leonard Bernstein.
“I’ve done records where I had a token vocal tune, all the way back to my first album,” Benoit says. “But I never did an entire record (with vocals). So the thought here is to do something really different.”
The result is Benoit’s 35th recording as a leader and his first with a vocalist. The new record is virtually alive with energy and feeling. The styles range from the bossa nova-bouyed title track to the optimistic, piano-driven “Love Will Light the Way.”
Violinist Michelle Suh and cellist Cathy Biagini add their impressionistic airs to the waltz “Dragonfly,” the evocative, 5/4 time-signatured “Something’s Gotta Give” – originally from a play co-written by Benoit and Mark Winkler about Marilyn Monroe – and “The Songs We Sang,” a beautiful melancholy ballad, originally titled “Out of Tune,” about a couple that wrote hit songs and are trying to reignite their magic.
“Barcelona Nights,” is pulsed by an infectious Latin groove, which was inspired by a visit to Spain by Benoit and his wife.
David Benoit has been making music for a very long time. On his 35th, he delivers a very special record!
This is so good!