Pianist

At the age of 19, Benny Green moved to New York City to join legendary vocalist Betty Carter’s band and never looked back. He would then assume the piano chair with some of jazz music’s most important instrumental groups, including Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, and the Ray Brown Trio. With these artists he would receive an invaluable artistic education, learn to embody the artform and master the music.

In 1988 he released his debut album as a leader Prelude on Criss Cross Records, which featured Terence Blanchard, Javon Jackson, Peter Washington, and Tony Reedus. In 1990, he signed with Blue Note Records, for which he made seven recordings. These records featured some of the best musicians working in the idiom including Stanley Turrentine, Ron Carter, Ray Drummond, Christian McBride, Victor Lewis, Lewis Nash and Carl Allen. In 2000, he would begin recording with Telarc Records. These albums featured his collaboration with guitarist Russell Malone. Benny has released six albums on Sunnyside Records since 2013, including his latest, Solo, released in 2022.

Benny Green

Monterey Jazz Festival

In a rare live performance, Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite is presented by an all-star ensemble including his protégé Benny Green and led by legendary composer and arranger John Clayton. The suite, inspired in part by Nelson Mandela and the intense struggle for human rights in apartheid South Africa, accentuates Peterson’s “technically brilliant and melodically inventive” (All About Jazz) style and reverence for social justice activism.

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Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite

Symphony Center

Monterey Jazz Festival brings together 20 of the most accomplished high school jazz musicians from across the country to form the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO), directed by GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton. Established in 1971, tenure in this year's NGJO culminates in a main stage performance in September at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Combo

Monterey County Fairgrounds

Benny Green received an invaluable early education from artists like Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Ray Brown. Committed to playing honest jazz without needing recognition, Benny seeks to stand as a torchbearer for the continuum of straight-ahead jazz piano.

Benny Green – Solo Piano

Hammer Theatre Center

Nobody plays straight-ahead modern jazz piano with more swinging joy and finesse than Benny Green. A very special solo performance from one of the greats of our time.

Benny Green – Solo

Dakota

Join famed jazz pianist Benny Green for a 30 minutes solo piano mini-concert, followed by a 45 minute session of engaging Q&A about his inspiring career journey and so much more. 

Benny Green Concert-Q&A

David Friend Recital Hall

Nobody plays straight-ahead modern jazz piano with more swinging joy and finesse than Benny Green, the one-time Berkeley High wunderkind who developed his leanly lyrical and propulsive playing in the star-making bands of three powerful master musicians: singer Betty Carter, drummer Art Blakey, and bassist Ray Brown. Green performs solo for this concert, offering a precious glimpse into his unfiltered creative process.

Pianist

Benny Green

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 28, 2025

Benny Green · San Francisco Jazz

Past events

Sep 26, 2025

Benny Green · Monterey Jazz Festival

Jun 13, 2025

Oscar Peterson’s Africa Suite · Chicago Symphony Orchestra

About

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