Background
Reid grew up in Westfield, New Jersey in a musical household where he was exposed to a variety of styles.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Benny Reid
Edit ProfileEducation
Reid is a graduate of the music program at Indiana University where he studied under Tom Walsh and David Baker.
Career
He has released two albums. He often traveled to New York to hear musicians like Sonny Rollins and Philosophy Woods and occasionally participated in jams at the clubs Blue Note and Smalls. An early mentor was Buddy Rich’s alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, and Reid began writing music when he was 14.
His musical interests ran the gamut from the brass-infused popular band Chicago to Michael Jackson, with guitarist Pat Metheny becoming his biggest influence during his college years.
During college breaks, Reid continued to network and perform in New York City. He has studied with Eric Alexander, Chris Potter, Steve Wilson, Dick Oatts, Michael Weiss and Ron Blake. Upon graduation from Indiana University, Reid moved to New York City to pursue a career in jazz, starting his own band in 2002.
He released his first album Findings in 2003. Reid has performed with such luminaries as Winard Harper, Eric Reed, Toshiko Akiyoshi Band, Chico O" Farill Band, Buddy Rich Band, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Big Band, Jimmy Dorsey Big Band, Harry James Big Band, Rosemary Clooney, Frankie Valli, The Temptations and others
Membership
Members of the group include guitarist Richard Padrón, wordless vocalist Jeff Taylor and percussionist Ryan Fitch, all of whom also played on Reid’s debut album Findings.
