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Benny Powell

Born in New Orleans, Powell is, perhaps, best known for his 12-year tenure (1951-63) with Count Basie, and for his eight-bar contribution to the Count's all-time big hit, "April in Paris." But more than that, Powell, in his all-too-rare solos with the Basie band, displayed a blues-laced, story-telling approach to improvisation. Check out, for instance, his masterfully balanced two-chorus statement on "Blues Backstage" from 1954, or "In a Mellotone," recorded in a live performance five years later.

After leaving Basie, Powell embarked upon a rich, diverse musical career. A versatile and accomplished player, he has worked extensively on Broadway, television, and on numerous recordings.

During the 1960s and '70s, Powell graced the trombone sections of Duke Pearson's fine New York big band and the renowned Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. (His four-chorus solo on Jones'"Fingers" is a master class in modern jazz trombone improvisation.) He also began-and continues-to make his name as a leader in his own right, a respected teacher, and a dedicated activist in the cause of rights for jazz artists.

After a decade in Hollywood, where he worked on The Merv Griffin Show, Powell returned to New York in the early 1980s and connected with two visionary instrumentalist-composers, the late clarinetist John Carter and pianist Randy Weston, with whom he performed for over 30 years.

Although an unsuccessful kidney transplant in 1990 left him to undergo thrice weekly dialysis treatments until a second match was successfully transplanted in 1996, Powell never let it keep him from working-and even touring-with the likes of Weston, Benny Carter and Jimmy Heath among many others. Source: Bob Bernotas

Awards

Numerous distinguished awards and recognition.

Basie All Stars: Live At Fabrik Vol. 1

Read "Live At Fabrik Vol. 1" reviewed by Chris May

by Chris May
March 13, 2023

Such are the glories of his band's recorded legacy from the 1930s through the 1950s, that the mere mention of Count Basie's name will trigger a Pavlovian response from his fan base. Like no other, the Count Basie Orchestra epitomised big-band swing at its most sublime; reefer fuelled, riff based, loose and louche Kansas City jazz that is irresistible even in 2023, a life-affirming antidote to the barbarity of DL-only albums, generative music and social media. Seasoned ...

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Album Review

Benny Powell: Nextep

by Andrew Velez
December 15, 2008

A whiff of glorious, old-time New Orleans jazz in “Free to be Me" jubilantly launches trombonist Benny Powell's Nextep. Yet be assured the set is no trip down nostalgia lane. A working musician since his early teens in New Orleans, bop loyalist and veteran sideman at hundreds of recording sessions with the likes of everyone from Count Basie and Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin and “Screamin'" Jay Hawkins, at 78, Nextep is Powell's bid to finally take well-earned center stage ...

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Interview

Benny Powell: Trombone Titan

by Andrew Velez
October 30, 2008

Master trombonist, composer, occasional vocalist and actor, NEA Jazz Master Benny Powell was saluted in 2008 at the All Nite Soul at Saint Peter Church in New York, along with his fellow honoree, pianist Jane Jarvis. A working musician since his early teens in New Orleans and a veteran sideman on hundreds of recording sessions with the likes of Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, at 78 Powell is energetic, quick to laugh and looking ahead to what ...

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Album Review

Benny Powell: Nextep

Read "Nextep" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
October 21, 2008

If Benny Powell doesn't sound familiar, he should be. He's recorded memorable work with Count Basie (a classic solo on “April in Paris") and on pianist Randy Weston's African Sunrise (Polygram Records, 1992). He's also been heard in countless recordings with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson, Sarah Vaughn and as part of Merv Griffin's TV show band. Certainly, Benny Powell is a versatile veteran jazz man.On Nextep, Powell assembles an ensemble of players of diverse backgrounds and ...

Obituary

Benny Powell, Count Basie Trombonist, Dies at 80

Source: AAJ Staff
July 4, 2010

Benny Powell, a trombonist who performed or recorded with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Screamin' Jay Hawkins but who was best known for his long tenure with Count Basie's big band, died on June 26 in New York. He was 80. He died in a Manhattan hospital, apparently of a heart attack, shortly after undergoing spinal surgery, said Devra Hall Levy, a family spokeswoman. Mr. Powell spent most of his career as a sideman, but he made the most of ...
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Obituary

Benny Powell Memorial Service Info

Source: Inverted Garden by Eric Benson
July 1, 2010

On Monday, July 12, New York's jazz community will gather at Saint Peter's Church on Lexington Avenue to celebrate the life of the late trombonist Benny Powell. Saint Peter's is known as the “Jazz Church," having a dedicated jazz ministry and a long tradition of hosting memorial services for the city's departed musical greats.

Info from DevraDoWrite (Devra Hall Levy), via Rifftides: The funeral will be held July 12, 7 PM Saint Peter's Church
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Obituary

Benny Powell, 1930-2010

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
June 30, 2010

Benny Powell, the veteran trombonist, died last Saturday in New York. Born in New Orleans, Powell was treasured by his colleagues as a superb musician and teacher and as a gentleman who observed old-South standards of courtesy and consideration.

Among the bands that Powell graced were those of Count Basie, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Bill Holman, Benny Goodman, Duke Pearson and Terry Gibbs. Here he is playing the blues in the company of a few of his admiring colleagues: ...
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Obituary

R.I.P. Benny Powell

Source: Inverted Garden by Eric Benson
June 29, 2010

Amid the bounty of great music in New York over the last two weeks, jazz has suffered three big losses: Bill Dixon (84-years-old, June 16), Fred Anderson (81-years-old, June 24), and now Benny Powell (80-years-old), whose death was announced on Saturday. I never heard Bill Dixon or Fred Anderson play, but I knew Powell's music well. His passing hits me with a more audible silence.

In August 2001, I saw Powell's friend and longtime employer Randy Weston perform at the ...
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Performance / Tour

The Sarah Hayes Trio Featuring Benny Powell Perform at Piano Due Friday, Feb. 12

Source: Michael Ricci
February 10, 2010

“Her song stylings exude personality and it's no wonder. This girl has charisma to spare. And with her innocent and unintentional naivet, she wins the hearts of all who experience her performance." -- Michael Andrew, Performer and Broadway Producer (The Nutty Professor) Vocalist Sarah Hayes takes the helm at Manhattan's newest music spot, the Palio Bar, to sing some of her favorite songs with some of her favorite musicians. She's joined by veteran players Benny Powell on Trombone, John Colianni ...
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Radio

The Jazz Session #140: Ben Powell

Source: Michael Ricci
February 4, 2010

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Technology

Jazz Pioneer Set to Forge 1st Jazz Twitter Nation!

Source: All About Jazz
May 26, 2009

Ever wonder what happens in a day in the life of a pioneer jazz master, who's worked alongside some of the top names in music history, including famed band leaders Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington and countless other legends of jazz and American popular music such as Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald in a career spanning several decades? Noted jazz pioneer Benny Powell is utilizing Twitter.com to bring long-time jazz fans, ...
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Event

Benny Powell to Battle the Bones for Frankie Manning Birthday Celebration

Source: All About Jazz
May 13, 2009

Benny Powell will be featured in a special musical performance billed as the “Battle of the Bones" with fellow trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Art Baron, as part of the Frankie 95 Birthday Festival on the closing night of the Memorial Day weekend extravaganza being held in New York City May 21 - 25. Having taken center stage as headline performer; composer; educator and jazz advocate, many believe he is receiving well-deserved recognition for his contributions to the jazz community. Always ...
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Technology

Jazz Great Benny Powell is Now on Twitter!

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2009

For all fans, friends and professionals who have an interest in Benny Powell's music: Yes, the noted jazz luminary has joined the Twitter nation to keep the jazz community-at large both far and wide-abreast of his next step in jazz. Want to know whether he's gigging around town in NY, touring with Randy Weston, teaching his performance ensemble class at the New School, promoting his current CD Nextep or just practicing on his trombone? To follow what he's doing, check ...
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Interview

Trombonist Benny Powell Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
October 30, 2008

I am distressed when I hear about the passing of a musician, but this news was particularly poignant because Benny Powell was one of our treasured members. Benny Powell will be missed as much for his humanity as for his musicality.

--Makin' Music NY

Last year, jazz writer Andrew Velez & Benny gave us permission to reprint a great article entitled, "Benny Powell: Trombone Titan."

http://www.makinmusicny.com/profiles/blogs/benny-powell-trombone-titan.

Additionally, here are links to a few articles written about Benny by jazz writer Bob Bernotas:

http://www.trombone.org/articles/library/bennypowell-int.asp