Emmy -Nominated Benny Benack III to Perform with Quartet at Gallery on Main July 6th

At 33 years old, Benny Benack III is making waves in the contemporary jazz scene.   His performances showcase a fusion of virtuosic trumpet solos and smooth, crooning vocals, drawing comparisons to legends like Chet Baker.  His dynamic stage presence and versatile artistry have garnered collaborations with esteemed musicians such as Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and Emmet Cohen.

Joining Benack on stage is pianist Jon Thomas, a 2019 graduate from The Juilliard School‘s Jazz department.  He has performed with Samara Joy, Marquis Hill, Dominick Farrinacci, Walter Blanding among other leading voices in jazz today.  He is celebrated as one of the most ardent and gifted rising forces in jazz and continues to make regular appearances at The Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and Minton’s Playhouse in addition to annual appearances at a host of international jazz festivals.

Bassist Kaisa Mäensivu, originally from Finland, studied jazz at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.  She continued her studies, graduating from the Manhattan School of Music in 2017 where she had the chance to learn from professors such as Dave Liebman and a personal hero, Ron Carter.    Her quartet, Kaisa’s Machine, has played internationally including Ronnie Scott’s in London, Smalls Jazz Club in New York, and the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland.   Kaisa now lives in New York City with her husband, drummer Joe Peri.

Rounding out the quartet is drummer, percussionist, and educator Joe Peri.  Joe tours frequently with Benack and performs regularly in many of New York City’s top jazz clubs such as Smalls, Mezzrow, The Jazz Gallery, Dizzy’s, and Birdland to name a few.  Since graduating from the Manhattan School of Music in 2015, Joe has collaborated with numerous notable jazz artists like Ed Cherry, Peter Bernstein, Seamus Blake, Dave Kikoski, Eric Alexander, and Pat Bianchi among many others. In 2018, Joe recorded with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on their Grammy Award-winning album “Love For Sale” released in October of 2021.