Bent To Be

1. Bent To Be!

2. Sco's Big Shoe

3. Contemplation

4. Stella

5. Shh...It's Only Me

6. Twisted

7. Bootini

8. The Long Road Home

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Benjamin Rodefer is featured on numerous recordings scheduled for 2000/2001 release, including: Benjamin Rodefer, "Bent to Be", Michael Wolff, "Portraiture: The Blues Period", 31 Hertz, "31 Hertz", and Jungle Wolf, Title TBA (featuring Alex Foster, Victor Bailey, and Michael Wolff). Guitar Player Magazine has named Benjamin Rodefer the "Best Unknown Jazz Guitarist in the Country" as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration.

Benjamin Rodefer has performed, studied or recorded with Gary Burton, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Benny Green, Michael Wolff, Roy McCurdy and Kenny Rankin among others.

Band members: Benjamin Rodefer -Acoustic, Electric & Synth Guitars
Eric Crystal -Saxophones
Michael Wolff -Piano & Rhodes
John Shifflett -Acoustic Bass
Alan Hall -Drums

Product Description
Guitar Player Magazine, as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration, named Benjamin Rodefer the world's 'Best Unknown Jazz Guitarist.' This CD, his first release as a leader, features a fantastic line up of burning young players including pianist Michael Wolff, who has played with Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley and Nancy Wilson. There are six of Rodefer's original compositions here, ranging from the exquisite acoustic ballad, "Shh...It's Only Me", to the searing post-Bop of "Twisted". There are traces of live Miles Davis albums from the late 60's, "Bootini", as well as tips of the hat to Rodefer's contemporaries, "Sco's Big Shoe." There are two standards as well. Both presented in a fresh light. "Contemplation", a McCoy Tyner ballad, is poignant and expressive with Eric Crystal at his lyric best on Soprano. "Stella" is played primarily trio with guitar, tenor and drums. The band's intuitive interplay and explosive energy should make this version an instant classic. A cohesive and well crafted record, Bent To Be features wonderful playing, deep grooves and strong compositions. A must have for all contemporary jazz collections. Eric Crystal, on saxophones, has played with Charlie Hunter, Omar Sosa, Ernie Watts and Paul McCandless. John Shifflet, on acoustic bass, has played with John Zorn, Bobby Hutcherson, Mel Torme, Harold Land and Peter Apfelbaum. Alan Hall, on drums, has performed and recorded with Jerry Bergonzi, Mick Goodrick and Dave Liebman.

Bent To Be,Benjamin Rodefer

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