John Benitez Quintet
Arthur's Tavern57 Grove Street, New York 10014
John Benitez leads his quintet in a bass-led set rooted in Latin jazz and Latin American music.
Puerto Rican-born, Grammy-winning bassist, composer and arranger Benitez has collaborated with artists including Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Chick Corea, Danilo Pérez, David Sánchez, Michel Camilo, Bebo Valdés and Donald Harrison. The New York Times called his playing “rock solid groove” and praised his ability to use “the fewest possible notes to greatest swing potential.”
Arthur's Tavern is a basement club in the West Village where jazz, Latin, and blues are played with deep roots and modern energy. The stage is small, the room intimate, and the audience sits close to the musicians, often with a few people standing near the back. Shows start around 5 PM and go late, with some sets extending into the early hours. The club has a history of hosting top-tier performers since 2001, including regular appearances by Yuichi Hirakawa Jazz Group. It's a place where music is the center, and conversation flows naturally between the audience and the performers.