Grammy award-winning bassist John Benitez, born in Rio Piedras Puerto Rico, started playing gospel music in church at the age of thirteen.  John is the first-call bassist in the New York Jazz and Latin music scene. He performed with, among others, such well-known artists as Chick Corea, Lucecita Benitez, Batacumbele, Lalo Rodriguez, Cuco Peña, Roberto Roena, and Justo Betancourt, Wynton Marsalis, Tito Puente, Michele Camilo, Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Bobby Watson, David Sanchez, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Danilo Perez, Kenny Kirkland, Will Calhoun, Vinny Valentino, Chucho Valdez, Don Pullen, Dave Samuels, and Mongo Santamaria, to name just few.

Although Benitez is extremely fluid in the jazz idiom, he excels at interpreting the rhythms and styles of his native Afro-Caribbean region and the entire Pan American music book. As he puts it himself, “For me it's all the same, one great dance music, all the Caribbean, South America and New Orleans are but an extension of African music, music with that special bounce. That's what I like the most.” John Benitez, an excellent example of a true musician, an educator, artist, gentleman and a spiritual human being.

    “Benitez demonstrates a 'nuevo generacion' pan-Latin Jazz vibe on his solo debut.The Puerto Rican-born leader's playing is precise, reliably hard-driving and inventive throughout, and the grooves lock together seamlessly” DOWN BEAT

    “Mr. Benitez , with his rock-solid groove, it the best new Latin jazz bassist in the city, great at using the fewest possible notes to maximum swing potential.” Ben Ratliff, New York Times