Saturday 7 January 2023
Benet McLean is one of the most exciting contemporary jazz violinists to emerge in recent years.
After his sensational performance at Jazz Café POSK in 2022, Benet McLean returns with his quintet to perform original songs from his upcoming new album as well as choice hard bop standards with a contemporary twist.
Featuring some of the biggest talents in contemporary British jazz, Benet is joined by Duncan Eagles on tenor sax, Jonathan Gee on piano, Rio Kai on bass and Zoe Pascal on drums, creating their signature uplifting blend of high-energy grooves and beautiful, soulful melodies.
Benet has released several acclaimed albums and has played with artists including Omar, Julian Joseph, Steve Williamson, Troy Miller, Loose Tubes, Orphy Robinson, Jean Toussaint, Cleveland Watkiss and Nightmares on Wax. He has performed at numerous venues across the UK and further afield, with London performances at Royal Festival Hall, King’s Place, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Cafe, Pizza Express Jazz Club, 606 Club, Vortex Jazz Club and Shepherd’s Bush Empire to name a few.
“I really like Benet’s approach to improvisation on violin.” - Jean-Luc Ponty
“Benet McLean is an exquisite violinist with a tone equal to that of the finest classical virtuosos and a soulful affinity with the highest level of jazz creativity. He’s inventive, charismatic and expressive with the nuances that bring spellbinding energy to his every performance.” - Julian Joseph
"His improvisations are vibrant percussive flashes of colour, full of trills and slurs, concise & witty.” - Peter Marsh, BBC
Line up:
Benet McLean – violin
Duncan Eagles – tenor saxophone
Jonathan Gee – piano
Rio Kai – bass
Zoe Pascal – drums
