Saxophonist Daniel Bennett has been making headlines for the last decade with his quirky blend of modern jazz, pop, and folk music. The Boston Globe calls it, “a mix of jazz, folk, and minimalism.” The maverick New York bandleader plays saxophone, flute, oboe, and clarinet on his forthcoming album, The Mystery at Clown Castle (New York Daylight Media). The album officially launches on February 5th, and is already being buzzed about as a top jazz release in 2015. Daniel Bennett has been hailed as one of the most original and unpredictable musical voices of his generation. Yahoo Voices calls Bennett’s music, “refreshingly capricious and trippy.” The Village Voice raves, “saxophonist Daniel Bennett makes hay with an airy approach that’s buoyant enough to conjure notions of East African guitar riffs and Steve Reich’s pastoral repetition.” Timeout New York raves, “Daniel Bennett airs his lilting, potentially hypnotic compositions!” Daniel Bennett’s music has been featured on NPR and other major media outlets. The Daniel Bennett Group was recently nominated “Best Jazz Group” in the New York City Hot House Jazz Awards. The band has released five critically-acclaimed albums in the last ten years: A Nation of Bears, The Legend of Bear Thompson, Peace & Stability Among Bears, Live at the Theatre, and Clockhead Goes to Camp. The International Review of Music raves, “Clockhead Goes to Camp is beautiful enough to delight a child! Daniel Bennett is also very active as a composer and woodwind doubler in the New York City theater scene. Bennett recently composed and performed the original musical score for the stage adaptation of Frankenstein at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Manhattan. Daniel Bennett recently played woodwinds in Blank! The Musical, the first fully improvised Off-Broadway musical to launch on a national stage. Entertainment Hour raved, “Mike Descoteaux (piano), Daniel Bennett (reeds) and Al Vetere (drums) accompanied the cast expertly and twisted from our randomly chosen notes an impressive score WITHOUT an active conductor or sheet music!” The New York Times called the show, “Witty, Likable and Ludicrous!”
The Mystery at Clown Castle is Daniel Bennett’s sixth full length studio album on the Manhattan Daylight Media label. Bennett is known for pushing the boundaries with virtuosic playing and a keen sense of humor. Bennett is joined by guitarist Nat Janoff, bassist Eddy Khaimovich, and Matt Feick on the drums. The album was produced by longtime collaborator MP Kuo at Lofish Studios in Manhattan. The record features guest pianist Jason Yeager (Inner Circle Music) and renowned poet Britt Melewski. The album artwork was designed by internationally renowned artist Tim Banks. Banks is a resident cover artist for Paste Magazine, as well as a prolific children’s book illustrator. Jesse Winter (Ten10 Studios) provides stunning band photography throughout the album design. The Daniel Bennett Group will be playing promotional tours in Miami, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Topeka, Boston, and other major cities. The band will perform their New York City album release concert at the Metropolitan Room on June 28th. Learn more at www.danielbennettgroup.com.
