Benny Green (pianist)

Benny Green
Photo by John Dugan
Background information
Born	(1963-04-04)April 4, 1963 New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano
Labels	Criss Cross, Blue Note, Telarc, Sunnyside
Associated acts	Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers

Benny Green (born April 4, 1963) is an American hard bop jazz pianist who was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He has been compared to Bud Powell in style and counts him as an influence.

Green was born in New York City. He grew up in Berkeley, California, and studied classical piano from the age of seven. He also had an interest in jazz from an early point, as his father was a jazz tenor saxophone player. Benny Green was "discovered" by Faye Carroll, and while still in his teens worked in a quintet led by Eddie Henderson. Green attended Berkeley High School, and participated in the school's jazz ensemble. In the later years of his high school career, he had a weekly trio gig at Yoshi's, which marked his entrance to the world of professional jazz. After high school he spent time in San Francisco, but became more successful on his return to New York.

Green joined Betty Carter's band in April, 1983, and since 1991 he has led his own trio. He has recorded for Blue Note Records, Telarc, and Criss Cross Jazz.

Green frequently teaches in workshops across the United States, such as Jazz Camp West in California, and Centrum/Jazz Port Townsend in Washington. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is on faculty at the University of Michigan.

With Art Blakey

With Others