Emily Cavanaugh “Seeing Me Home”
Singer/songwriter Emily Cavanaugh and I co-produced the track “Seeing Me Home (A Song for Idaho).” Emily has a charitable project called A Song for You that crafts custom songs for people facing end-of-life situations- this song was part of that work. This heart-wrenching song was written for St Lukes Health System in Idaho, who distributed the song to their network of over 15,000 nurses, many of whom performed in the song’s video. Emily sang lead and backing vocals, and I mixed, arranged and played keyboards. The track also features Leo Sidran (bass, drums, guitar), Wells Hanley (piano) and Oscar Zambrano (mastering). Check out the touching video below or stream the song on your favorite platform.
Winter 2022 Studio Gear Upgrades
Benny’s Wash & Dry is open for in-person recording sessions! We took advantage of some downtime during these last few pandemic months to upgrade our D/A converters, audio interface, CPU and headphone system. The studio is now centered on a zero-latency Avid Pro Tools Carbon interface and Lynx Aurora 16 (n) system. We upgraded our Mac Pro computer from 6 to a whopping 12 cores, doubling our processing power. Our new headphone mixers are a Digital Audio Labs Livemix system with 24 inputs, featuring custom mixes with levels, panning and more for each musician.
What does this mean to me, you may ask? Your experience while playing is the most important thing. Our new system assures the minimum possible latency in the headphones. That means there’s no perceptible delay between what you play and what you hear. This makes the recording experience ultra-transparent. The Carbon and Aurora (n) both have the latest state-of-the-art D/A converters assuring true, deep, transparent sound. Our new Livemix headphone mixers have more flexibility, more inputs and much better sound-quality than our old Furman system. And they’re easy to learn and use, with a dedicated “Me” knob that always controls your level in the headphones.
Interactions between musicians, great sight lines and a positive environment for creativity are critical to the creative process- we’ve still got that covered- but it’s also helpful when the gear your using helps achieve these goals by being high-quality and transparent. Book a session or come by for a tour and take advantage of our new improvements soon- we’d love to work with you to help you achieve your musical vision.
Try, Try, Try!
Hello friends! Spring is my favorite season here in NYC, and after the doldrums of winter, I’m rambling ahead into the lovely weather with a feeling of hope and promise. I’ve started booking some live performances again, I have a new single to share, and I’m preparing to safely reopen my recording studio for public sessions sometime in the coming months. Stay tuned for more info, or shoot me an email to discuss your project and goals. In the meantime, we’re still doing remote production, mixing, tracking & more!
Vocalist Tyley Ross, guitarist Ben Butler and I have been working on a new moody, atmospheric collection of Canadian songs that I’m really proud of. Here’s the second track from the forthcoming EP: Try (originally recorded by Blue Rodeo).
Farewell to 2020… Hallelujah!
2020 was a humdinger of a year- one that I think we can all be glad is now behind us… In the spirit of rebirth and renewal, I offer up this new release from vocalist Tyley Ross (East Village Opera Company frontman and leader), with me and guitarist Ben Butler (Sting, George Michael). Tyley’s dulcet high tenor eloquently expresses Leonard Cohen’s message, while Ben’s haunting e-bow & tender acoustic guitar and my keys and mix set the song in a dreamy landscape, bathed in ambience and light. I hope you enjoy it this first release from what promises to be a new collection of songs in 2021.
With fond remembrances of all those we lost in 2020, I offer this with love and hope. Here’s to a brighter 2021.
Paster, Popejoy and Shaffer together again
1986 flashback: dateline Albuquerque, New Mexico: High school classmates bassist Stuart Popejoy, drummer David Shaffer and I have a trio called “dbs Noise Creation.” We used to play jazz and standards regularly at school events, and also occasionally perform live around Albuquerque. Deep in my closet I have our debut cassette recording from that era. That same year we met a tenor saxophonist named Alisa Valdés who attended a different high school. We played together as a quartet on occasion, both with Shaffer and later more frequently with another classmate, late drummer Blair Newsome as the Nouveau Adobe Quartet.
Alisa was a mature young musician, more interested in the soulful lyricism of her melodic lines than in simply how many notes or how loud she could play. We became close friends and jazz buddies- our shared love for jazz was rare amongst my peers. She turned us on to records by Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, Steps ahead and others, and though only a year older than us, her musical honestly and essential simplicity influenced my development in ways that I still consider important.
Flash forward to the present: Alisa Valdés is a well known published author. We’ve been occasionally in touch over the past 30+ years. But, I recently learned that she was facing some serious health struggles. With the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic bearing down on the world, I decided I should reunite the dbs trio to remotely record a track for Alisa.
Stuart, David and I had only recently played together for the first time in over 30 years at my 50th Birthday party in February 2020. But I knew these guys would do a great job creating something to cheer up an old friend. I selected an unrecorded song that I wrote in 2010 while on tour with Paul Beaudry and Pathways for the US State Dept entitled Haze and Light. The song’s simple, essential melody reminded me of Alisa and the ways she’d influenced me back in the 80s.
Enjoy the first recorded music from Paster, Popejoy and Shaffer in decades- Haze and Light. Alisa is recovering is expected to make a full recovery. Get well soon, old friend- we send our love.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud or wherever fine music is streamed…
Yes Virginia Reunites with Bill Withers Tribute
If you lived in NYC during the late 1990s and early 2000s, you might remember my funk band Yes Virginia. Our recording Overeasy is still one of my favorite albums I’ve ever done. Though we’ve all been working on other projects in past decades, my bandmates and I have stayed in touch. For years, in our previous band Random House of Soul, we often performed our rendition of Bill Withers’ Kissing My Love. Withers’ recent sad passing incited us to reunite to record this song for the first time. Tracked remotely, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, this video serves as a reminder of the importance of staying connected with friends and loved ones. And, hopefully, it’ll get you dancing and brighten your day!
Recorded by and featuring: Bennett Paster, Matt Stone, Whynot Jansveld and Jamie Moore, with fond memories of our fallen bandmates Andrew Frawley and Jill Seifers Walsh. Mixed by Bennett Paster and Mastered by Whynot Jansveld. Video edited by Matt Stone.
No matter how far apart we are, music has a great way of bringing us together. #YesVirginia. Add us to your favorite playlist on Spotify, Apple Music and more: https://linktr.ee/yesvirginia
Stanford Jazz Workshop 2019
Me and Roy McCurdy
Hard to believe it’s been 35 years since I first attended the Stanford Jazz Workshop as a camper in 1984. I’ve returned there to teach, learn and play and live & breathe jazz most summers since then. This year was particularly inspiring. In my musicianship classes, I basked in the glow of some amazing young musicians, many with perfect pitch and boundless energy, who always managed to play back whatever chromatic craziness I played at them… Watch out world! My combo met in the courtyard this year, which allows us to truly enjoy Northern California’s loveliness as we swung and learned.
In addition to a full teaching schedule, I got to perform in 3 concerts during my 6-day trip. The first was a poignant and heartfelt celebration of the music of bassist/composer John Shiflett, who passed far too soon about 2 years ago. Saxophonist Kris Strom and guitarist Scott Sorkin arranged Shifflett’s music for groups from 5-10 instruments, and we joyously remembered and celebrated our mutual friend from the stage in Campbell Recital Hall, where I saw John play so many times over the years.
Bassist Ruth Davies has led “Blues Night” at Stanford Jazz Festival for almost a decade. It’d been a few years since I’d been there to join her for one; in past years the late Ndugu Chancler, she, I along with guitarist Danny Carron, were the house band for artists including: Robin Ford, Henry Butler, Keb Mo’ and others. This year found us reunited behind Grammy-Nominated Blues artist Ruthie Foster. (Thanks to keyboardist John Burr for sharing the keyboard chair with me!) Ruthie flows effortlessly between soulful blues and gospel singing, groovy guitar playing and inspired songwriting. It made for a super-fun evening of groovy blues and beyond.
Kris Strom, me, Ruthie Foster & Ruth Davies
Me, Kris Strom, Scott Sorkin, Ken Okeda & Jason Lewis
John Burr, Ruthie Foster & me
On the final Friday I got to swing with saxophonist/composer Lynn Speakman’s band. Lynn is an amazing alto player from Pittsburgh, who I met at SJW, and also hug with during her NYC years. We swung through some swinging hard bop, and got to play the Cannonball Adderley classic Azule Serape (written by Victor Feldman) with Cannonball’s long-time drummer Roy McCurdy. Roy is 82 years young, and swings with a feel and passion of a guy half his age. He was always one of my favorite drummers (and Billy Hart cites him as his primary influence); I’d always wanted to swing with Roy, and I’m glad we got to do it this summer.
The critics have spoken…
Thanks to all who have shown support for my new CD Indivisible by purchasing the CD, streaming the record, sharing it with friends and/or attending one of our performances. I’ve heard from so many friends and fans , both here in the NYC area and around the USA and overseas about how much they’re enjoying the groovy jazz sounds. We’re so appreciative for your support and your feedback! Stay tuned for more performances coming soon- We’ll be at Halyard’s in Brooklyn on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019.
The record has been played on over 20 radio stations, mostly jazz and college radio with a peak chart position of 63, but it has made the top 10 weekly jazz lists of several stations. Thanks to Ben Sholz at Sholz Productions for his deft radio promotion.
Thanks to the tireless work of Jim Eigo’s Jazz Promo Services, we’ve also gotten lots of positive feedback from jazz critics around the world. Here’s a sampling of reviews. Click here for more press about Indivisible.
“A very fine keyboardist and pianist, Bennett Paster grows by leaps and bounds with every project. On his new CD Indivisible, he doesn’t synthesize his influences, but rather turns every composition into his own private vision of blues, mainstream jazz, funk, New Orleans and beyond… He displays bebop sensibilities while reserving the best of his immense talents for a sense of teamwork.”
MGN, Hot House Magazine, June 2019
“Deeply moving grooving jazz”
Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“For his latest, keyboard ace [Bennett Paster] wants to underscore that the groove is everywhere and it can’t be separated no matter how you try to separate the genres. He proves his point mightily. With loads of swing throughout, his jazz isn’t always purely jazz but it’s welcome no matter to which extremes he takes it. Tasty and assured throughout, this is jazz that’s always welcome. Well done.”
Chris Spector, Midwest Record
“A pianist-organist virtuoso… fun grooves…and smooth interplay between the musicians…timeless elegance and shimmering grace… highly danceable…
A universally enjoyable and intriguing affair of solo filled and carefully constructed fusion of blues, country, funk, surf, and others on this charmingly entertaining album.”
Tom Haugen, Take Effect Reviews
Introducing Indivisible
I’m delighted to announce the release of my latest album Indivisible, available now!
Deep groove is the number one priority on Indivisible, my latest recording of melodic instrumental jazz. Each of the album’s 10 original songs explores a different flavor of groove. From 5/4 swing to funky 70s samba, from New Orleans to Nordic open 8th, and onwards to funk, country waltz, fusion, surf and beyond, this collection takes you on a tour of rhythmic styles, drawing connections between contrasting beats through our constant commitment to groove. Recorded at my Brooklyn studio in mid 2018, each song is produced with a unique sonic identity to match its style. The magic is in how this hand-picked band of groove-master musicians- most of whom I’ve collaborated with for more than 20 years- draw this collection of diverse songs together into one cohesive, accessible album. This is Indivisible.
Available wherever you stream or purchase music, including: CDbaby, Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify & Soundcloud.
Bennett Paster- keyboards
Jeff Hanley- bass
Tony Mason- drums
Al Street- guitar
Kenny Brooks- tenor sax
Samuel Torres- congas & percussion
Todd Isler- percussion
All compositions by Bennett Paster
Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Bennett Paster at Benny’s Wash & Dry, Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk
(c) (p) 2019 Wurliboy Music (SESAC)
Wash & Dry Studio News, Fall-Winter 18-19
The tulips and crocuses are popping up in Brooklyn- another Fall and Winter seems to be succumbing to the relentlessly encroaching Spring. It’s a great time to look back on all the hard work that I’ve been doing in my studio, Benny’s Wash & Dry, both on my own and with a collection of talented musician artists.
I love to produce recording projects, both for instrumentalists and singers. From conceptualizing the project and picking repertoire, to finding the right band personnel, through the arranging, recording and mixing process, I enjoy the journey! Last Fall I had the pleasure of co-producing two sensational singers, Ellynne Rey and Melanie Gall. Both of their new recordings are available now.
Connecticut-based vocalist/songwriter Ellynne Rey’s The Birdsong Project features a broad-range of jazz approaches to a diverse collection of songs about birds. Ellynne and I worked together to craft the arrangements over a period of several months of rehearsal, then we recorded the album in two sessions at the Wash & Dry. The resulting album is well rounded, exciting and eminently listenable. From the classics “Skylark,” “Blackbird” and “Ornithology,” to the unexpected: Schubert’s “Die Krahe (The Crow)” and Joni Mitchell’s “Song to a Seagull,” to Rey’s original jazz waltz “The Snowy Owl,” the album features a talented group of experienced NYC-based jazz musicians, including Rey on vocals and me on piano and organ, plus Joel Frahm on sax, Alex Norris on trumpet, Freddie Bryant on guitar, Marcus Mclauraine on bass and drummers Anthony Pinciotti and Joe Strasser. The packaging also showcases her formidable talent as a wildlife photographer. This was our second recording project together and I’m delighted to have had both opportunities to grow together as artists. http://www.ellynnesings.com/
Canadian chanteuse Melanie Gall travels the world presenting her original shows in Fringe Festivals, theaters and beyond. I’ve arranged and recorded many of the soundtrack and accompaniments to these shows. When she approached me wanting to put together a recording of songs that have inspired and influenced her over the years, I jumped at the opportunity. The songs naturally divided themselves into two groups: half required a standard pop & jazz rhythm section; the other half seemed to merit an acoustic string band. I found the perfect group of folks who could fulfill both and we set out on a campaign of realizing her vision. Highway Rhapsody features Gall presenting 3 standards: “But Not for Me,” “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” and “My Ship”, and a group of songs which were new to me, including: “Gulf Coast Highway,” “Let the Cold Wind Blow,” “The Queen and the Soldier,” “I Will Play a Rhapsody” and more… It’s a crazy collection of folk songs, standards, pop songs, country classics and more, unified by her love of all them! The album features: Gall on vocals, me on keyboards, plus Ross Martin on guitars, Jacob Joliffe on mandolin, Bobby Hawk on fiddle, Jim Whitney on bass and Robert Weiss on drums. https://www.melaniegall.com/
In addition to composing, producing, performing and recording my own music, I enjoy supporting other artists as a sideman, both playing live and also contributing keyboard tracks “remotely” from my studio. Here are two featured sideman projects from the last few months:
In his own words, Jonathan Coulton’s Some Guys “covers of 70s soft rock songs that sound exactly like the originals.” Produced by the amazing Christian Cassan, we set out to recreate the smooth magic of the songs that fueled many a long car ride with my folks back in my childhood in New Mexico. It was a joy (and a ton of work) to learn and recreate, note-for-note classics including: Baker Street, How Deep is Your Love, On and On, Make it With You and many more. Listening to it is like time travel- I’m transported back to the back of my mom’s Buick with the maroon interior. Dig it. https://www.jonathancoulton.com/
Sean McMorris’s new album C’est La Vie is the third I’ve played on for the LA-based singer/songwriter. Also produced by Christian Cassan, it’s a spirited collection of original rock and pop featuring me on vintage keyboards. https://www.seanmcmorris.com/home
Other recent clients at the Wash & Dry include: Joe Clausell, Xavier Casellas and Emillio Solla, Ethan Eubanks, Storefront Music, Stefan Litzky, John Thomas, Janie Barnett, Ricky Tinelli, Annette Genovese, Fiona Smart, Akiko Matsumoto, Aaron Morrill, Dahlia Ross, Dennis Day, Jawney Conroy, Alex Khurgen, Yuma Sung, Paul Spencer, Ed Littman, Sidecar Astronauts, Michael Harren, Kim Cameron, Juwanna Jenkins, Carol Lipnik and more…
If you’ve got a musical vision you’d like help realizing, please reach out– I’d love to discuss your project with you to explore if we’d be well suited to working together. Come join the family at Benny’s Wash & Dry!