About Me
London born pianist & vocalist BENET McLEAN has been involved in music since the age of 3! He began on violin, (a quarter-sized model ofcourse!), & whilst training to become potentially a concert violinist, he also soon became interested in other forms of music such as jazz, bebop and a young genre rising under the name of Hip-hop. Soon teaching himself other instruments such as guitar, piano, electric bass, alto saxophone, as well as ofcourse singing & composing, a musical 'melting-pot' began to 'cook'! Many of the songs featured on his acclaimed new CD entitled "CLICHES (FOR ANOTHER DAY)" are indeed based on & are developed from childhood pieces. This superb CD is incidently available at: www.jazzcds.co.uk
A list of artists Benet has played, toured & worked with internationally since the early 90's would include: OMAR, YEHUDI MENUHIN, DENNIS ROLLINS, SIR SIMON RATTLE, DAVE O'HIGGINS, TY, CARLEEN ANDERSON, JEAN TOUSSAINT, TOMMY SMITH, CLEVELAND WATKISS, YELLOW STATION BLUE, PHILLIP BENT, ORPHY ROBINSON, KEVIN HAYNES' Groupo Elegua, ROACHFORD, MAXI JAZZ (Front-man of Faithless), LOOSE TUBES, DON LUSHER and many more. "Fast-rising young pianist BENET McLEAN has a piano technique that seems to bring Art Tatum's music into the 21st century, drawing on classical music, postbop, hip-hop & beyond."- 'THE GUARDIAN'. Famed U.K. jazz pianist, composer & broadcaster JULIAN JOSEPH says this: "BENET McLEAN is a rare breed of musician; He sings with gusto, verve & energy & applies these same qualities to his piano playing which is of Herculean proportions. A true virtuoso from the Art Tatum point of view, he can shine on his own & with a band. His ensemble playing combines impressive influences from the 19th & 20th century classical piano tradition into the influence of pianist Kenny Kirkland, with a huge respect for Bebop. But McLean is also posessed with the ability to combine these influences with Hip-hop & contemporary popular musics into contemporary jazz of the highest order. Benet McLean is musically fearless with the facility & skill to back it up! Watch this guy, he is a massive talent." HOAGY B. CARMICHAEL, the son of reknowned U.S. Songwriter HOAGY CARMICHAEL has described Benet as "a special talent & a genius", and on a recent airing of his Radio 2 show "The Best of Jazz", esteemed trumpeter & broadcaster HUMPHREY LYTTLETON concluded the show with a track from Benet's album saying: "CLICHES (FOR ANOTHER DAY) is a CD that crackles with energy, talent & originality."
The BENET McLEAN QUARTET was formed in 2003 & since then has evolved & grown into a world-class & dynamic combo, regularly performing around London & attracting a growing following. Currently promoting their recent CD which has been heard extensively on numerous radio stations, this exciting group features mostly original compositions written by Benet & other members of the group.
JASON YARDE, the saxophonist in the band, began playing alto & soprano saxophones with the Jazz Warriors at the age of 16, making him their youngest ever member. While studying for a degree in Performing Arts at Middlesex, he studied saxophone under JOE LOVANO at William Paterson College in New Jersey. Since then he has been a member of & worked with: QUITE SANE, several LOUIS MOHOLO groups, AFRO-BLOK, the PHIL ROBSON OCTET, the award-winning J-LIFE, DENNIS BROWN, TERRI WALKER, the R.P.O., McCOY TYNER, ROY AYERS, ANDREW HILL, HERMETO PASCOAL and MANU DIBANGO, as well as producing super albums by such people & groups as: JAZZ JAMAICA, SOWETO KINCH and JULIET ROBERTS. Jason also has his own trio "WAH!", (not to be confused with Chris Dodd's "WOOHAH"), & an awesome 10-piece project known as "ACOUSTIiC BOMBASTiC". CHRIS DODD is an enigma of all things musical! Easy to spot in a jazz club due to his height, the tall bassist of the group is a highly talented & all encompassing musician. He is sought after not only as a player but as a composer, having written & produced for leading artists as diverse as WILL YOUNG & JAMIE SCOTT, as well as for the U.S. television phenomenon "Pop Idol". Chris is just as comfortable playing the most ridiculously funky electric bass alongside the great singer MANUMANU or with the band JAMIROQUAI as he is in the acoustic environment, having worked & played worldwide with leading jazz artists such as DICK PIERCE, TONY LEVIN, GARY BURTON, BHEKI MSELEKU, WYNTON MARSALIS, JULIAN JOSEPH, JOHN ETHERIDGE & MARK MONDESIR to name but a few. And it was at one of Chris' gigs when the late, great comedian SPIKE MILLIGAN approached him &, impressed by his height, enquired of Chris: "Could you ever block out the light of day?". Probably the most mysterious quality of Chris' is a haunting & unforgettable cry of "WOOHAH!", which bands that Chris works with often take as a 'sign' or omen as to whether the music is truly grooving or not. In his spare time, Chris also enjoys being a semi-proffesional racing driver! ". . . . . Solid time",-SHANE FORBES. Last but not least is
STEVE WASHINGTON. Steve is one of the U.K.'s most respected & sought after drummers. Born in Jamaica, he moved to London in the early 60s, turning proffesional at the age of 13! Since then, Steve "The Washtone" has become one of the country's leading session players working with a diverse conglomoration of artists from all over the world. He can literally play anything! This he proves time & time again in his critically acclaimed drum-clinic masterclasses in rooms full of scared drummers. In his proffesional career, Steve has played with many recording artists & top international bands such as TEXAS, TAKE THAT, WET WET WET, and NIK KERSHAW. He has also worked with the REGGAE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, THE JAZZ WARRIORS, STEVE WILLIAMSON and HUGH MASAKELA. As well as performing in the BENET McLEAN Quartet, Steve is currently playing & touring with ERROL BROWN (of Hot Chocolate).
For much more info on the quartet, biogs, reviews, audio samples of the CD, photos & much more . . . check out the exclusive website at:
www.benetmclean.com
