Current Projects

Bennett Paster TrioPiano3-2

(Acoustic jazz, classic piano-trio format)

The jazz piano trio is classic because it works so darned well!  Acoustic piano, acoustic bass and drums can create an almost orchestral range of dynamics and colors.  I play a lot of trio gigs with an ever-ratating cast of NYC’s most swinging musicians and we cover a lot of musical ground from original music to favorites from the American Songbook, jazz standards, Latin and Brazilian standards and classic rock and R&B favorites.  The unifying factor is the fact that we treat all styles equally and always find a way to creatively explore the diverse repertoire and make it undeniably jazz.  My current trio, featured on Radiance, is me on piano, Gary Wang on bass and Tony Mason on drums. You can also check out my Paster, Ryan & Hall CDs to hear me my previous working trio.


Bennett Paster GroupSONY DSC

(Contemporary, broad-based acoustic jazz)

My 2012 CD, Relentless Pursuit of the Beautiful features quintet, sextet and septet renditions of my tunes in a broad-based, straight-ahead jazz setting.  The band most often performs with 4 or 5 people on stage, but we’re adaptable to any situation.  Core members of the ensemble include me on piano, Joel Frahm and Tim Armacost on saxophones, Alex Pope Norris on trumpet, Gregory Ryan on bass and Willard B. Dyson Jr. on drums.  Percussionist Gilad also joins us on the CD.

Hear the CD


Bennett Paster’s FunktetOldKeysProc2

(Electro-acoustic groovy jazz)

Sometimes you just gots to get funky… That’s what the Funktet is all about- fun, groovy electric jazz that makes your feet tap and your hips shake.  This group explores my book of funky, groove-based tunes and lets me stretch out on vintage keyboards including: electric piano, clavinet, organ and synthesizers.   Core members include me on keys, Al Street on electric guitar, Kenny Brooks on saxophone, Jeff Hanley on electric bass and Tony Mason on drums.  Check out 2019’s Indivisble if you’re ready to groove.


Grupo YanquiGrupo_Yanqui2_photo_by_Allen_Murabayashi

(Acoustic broad-based Latin Jazz)

Gregory Ryan and I share a love for modern Afro-Cuban and Afro-Latin jazz. Grupo Yanqui is the band we founded in 2000 to play our original music that’s influences start with these styles and extend into Brazilian, funk and R&B and elsewhere.  We have two CDs: Grupo Yanqui and Grupo Yanqui Rides Again.  Core personnel include: me (piano), Chris Cheek (tenor Sax), Yosvany Terry (alto sax & chekere), Alex Norris (trumpet), Gregory Ryan (bass), Keith Hall (drums) and Gilad (perc)

Visit GrupoYanqui.com       Listen to Grupo CDs