Line-up:
Joe Peri: Drums,
Rasmus Sørensen: Piano
Kaisa Mäensivu: Bass
Benny Benack III: vocal & Trumpet
Andreas Toftemark: Saxophone
Andreas Toftemark and Benny Benack III take the audience on a musical journey through the beautiful world of jazz. Benack is one of the most famous trumpeters and vocalists of the new generation of jazz musicians. He has worked with a wide range of jazz’s biggest names and has performed at some of New York’s most prestigious jazz clubs, including Birdland, Dizzy’s, and Lincoln Center. He has also been recognized by Downbeat Magazine as one of jazz’s new top names both as a trumpeter and vocalist. Together with Toftemark and the rhythm section, which consists of leading musicians from New York, including Joe Peri on drums, Rasmus Sørensen on piano, and Kaisa Mäensivu on bass, the group will present the audience with an exclusive musical experience that intertwines 60s hardbop and crooner- showmanship which goes beyond the edge of the stage to such an extent. The band has so far performed to full houses at, among others, Brighton Jazz Festival (GB), DIG Festival (FI), Termansens in Ribe, Paradise Jazz in Copenhagen, Musikhuzet Bornholm, Musikhuset Copenhagen, Utopia Jazz (SE), La Fontaine, Giant Steps Svendborg and Flensburghus (DE). “With our endless passion for jazz, we will do everything we can to create an unforgettable experience for everyone who has the opportunity to come to one of our concerts. We look forward to presenting this international band and look forward to playing for you.” – Andreas Toftemark
About the musicians:
Benny Benack III has worked with renowned musicians Christian McBride, Veronica Swift, Emmet Cohen, etc., and performed at prominent jazz clubs in New York such as Birdland and Lincoln Center. He is on Downbeat Magazine’s list of top jazz names and was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition 2014, and winner of the Carmine Caruso International Trumpet Competition 2011. Kaisa Mäensivu, the Finnish bassist, graduated from the Sibelius Academy and Manhattan School of Music, New York resident. She performs with international musicians and her quintet Kaisa’s Machine. Won first prize at the International Riga Jazz Stage and the ’Rising Star’ award at the Pori Jazz Festival. He splits his time between New York and Helsinki and tours worldwide. Andreas Toftemark Danish jazz saxophonist, has performed in large parts of the world, e.g. Brazil, France, Germany, and the USA etc., and played concerts with internationally recognized musicians such as Francesco Ciniglio, Ethan Iverson, Rodney Green, Peter Bernstein, Gerard Presencer etc. Andreas is signed to April Records, where he has released two records under his own name. BA from The New School of Jazz in New York and European Jazz Master from Copenhagen, Berlin, and Paris.
Joe Peri, the American drummer, has been based in New York City since 2009. Joe graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2015 and has since collaborated with several prominent names such as Ed Cherry, Dave Kikoski, Eric Alexander, Jerry Weldon, Simon Moullier, and Patrick Bartley. Joe plays on the Grammy Award-winning album ”Love For Sale” with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. Rasmus Sørensen, pianist, moved to New York in 2018 when he was the first Dane ever to receive a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music. Since then he has become an internationally recognized musician and composer. Rasmus has played in large parts of Europe with his trio and in New York to become one of the most sought-after pianists in the jazz capital. Furthermore, Rasmus has just released a record with Kendrick Scott and Alex Claffy; two of the greatest jazz musicians in the world right now.
