Marco Benevento

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Marco Benevento
Marco performing at Tonic in New York City
Marco performing at Tonic in New York City
Background information
Birth name Marco Vincent Benevento
Born 22 July 1977 (1977-07-22) (age 30)
Origin Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genre(s) Jazz, rock, experimental music
Occupation(s) Musician
Instrument(s) Keyboard instruments
Years active 2002–present
Label(s) Ropeadope, Hyena, Butter Problems
Associated acts Benevento/Russo Duo
Website www.marcobenevento.com

Marco Benevento (born July 22, 1977 in Livingston, New Jersey) is a keyboardist and composer from Brooklyn, New York, best known for his music with the Benevento/Russo Duo.

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[edit] Biography

He was born in Livingston, New Jersey in 1977 and grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey. He began playing piano at age seven, and discovered jazz and improvised music at age fifteen. He graduated from Ramapo High in 1995 and Berklee College of Music in 1999.

He was a member of The Jazz Farmers from 2000–2001, and has been a regular on the New York City contemporary, experimental jazz scene for years. Benevento has studied under and played alongside teachers like Kenny Werner, Brad Mehldau, and Joanne Brackeen; and band-mates like Matt Chamberlain, Steven Bernstein, Wayne Krantz, Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio.

Benevento is one half of the Benevento/Russo Duo, an instrumental indie rock, post-jazz experimental band that he formed with drummer Joe Russo. They have performed at events like Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Fuji Rock Festival, SXSW, Bonnaroo, Wakarusa and have drawn reviews at publications ranging from Rolling Stone to Pitchfork Media.

Benevento is best known for his stylistic playing and heavy use of effects. His constantly evolving equipment rig includes a Casio sampling keyboard and myriad effects pedals, but is anchored by his Hammond organ (with bass pedalboard) and Wurlitzer electric piano. A fan of circuit bending, Marco uses a pile of circuit bent toys to create wild and warped sounds. In the spring of 2006 he added a circuit bent television that displays sound waves on the vertical line. When not playing music, Marco enjoys making T-shirts, which he has been doing for many years; some can be found online at Tuba Sunshine.

In 2006, Benevento was featured in Bobby Previte's Coalition of the Willing US and European tour. Also, in July 2006, Benevento toured with Anastasio, Gordon and Russo as band known as GRAB. He continues to be featured in Garage A Trois along with Moore, Skerik and Mike Dillon.

On Aug 7th, 2007 Marco Benevento Live at Tonic, a three-disc Ropeadope album was released. It includes Marco playing piano, toy piano, speak n spell, glockenspiel, Hammond organ and wurlitzer. Featured guest musicians include Chamberlain, Reed Mathis, Dillon, Gordon, Russo, Previte, Dave Dreiwitz, Claude Coleman, Bernstein, Brad Barr, and Scott Metzger.

On February 12, 2008, Benevento released his first solo studio album, entitled Invisible Baby, on Hyena Records with drummers Matt Chamberlain and Andrew Barr and bassist Reed Mathis. Multiple national tours have included Benevento, Chamberlain and Mathis.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Benevento/Russo Duo

[edit] Solo albums

[edit] Videography

[edit] References

[edit] External links