CODA FEST: Pawan Benjamin + Marques Carroll Group

This new project pairs two formidable horn players, side by side, leading a new group through originals and modern works from the pantheon of Black American Music and beyond.

Pawan Benjamin has made a global name for himself as an artist over the last decade and a half. From venues such as Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art to festivals around the world such as the Newport Festival, the Mondriaan Jazz Festival, and many others, Pawans credits have spanned across genres and settings.

A veteran for many years of the New York music scene, Pawan has performed in traditional and modern settings as both an in demand saxophonist, bansuri flutist and composer. In 2018, Pawan was awarded the Van Lier Foundation Award for Asian American artists in New York City, and recorded his first record, “Tinte Baja” as a homage to both traditions.

Pawan has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Reggie Workman, Roscoe Mitchell, Rez Abassi, the Temptations / Four Tops, and dancer and choreographer Bill T Jones among many notable others.

As a saxophone student Pawan has spent time with Hanah Jon Taylor, Roscoe Mitchell, Bob Mintzer, Steve Wilson, Steve Slagle, Donny McCaslin and Dan Blake.

As a bansuri player Pawan learned under Steve Gorn, Prem Rana Autari, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Jay Gandhi as well as learning Hindustani vocals under Samarth Nagarkar.

Notable Recordings

Tinte Baza (Three Instruments)
Featuring Martin Nevin and Sean Mullins
https://pawanbenjamin.bandcamp.com/album/tinte-baja

Coltrane Raga Tribute
Featuring Marc Cary, Sameer Gupta, Brandee Younger and more
https://coltraneragatribute.bandcamp.com/…/coltrane…

Kenya Revisited
Featuring NEA Jazz Master, Candido Camero
Nominated for Latin Grammy Award
https://bobbysanabria.com/music/kenya-revisited-live/

A Throw of Dice
Movie with Live Soundtrack / Score by Rez Abbasi
https://rezabbasi-whirlwind.bandcamp.com/…/a-throw-of-dice
https://pawanbenjamin.com/listen

Marques Carroll
A bold performer, soulful composer and passionate educator, Trumpeter Marques Carroll is dedicated to preserving the authentic culture of Jazz and spreading his holistic love of music around the world.

Marques Carroll has been drawing national attention since 1996, having worked and shared the stage with today’s most celebrated artists and ensembles including Carmen Bradford, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Etienne Charles, Christian McBride, Jon Faddis, Meshell Ndegeocello, Randy Weston, Jimmy Heath, Jeff Hamilton, Randy Brecker, Nicholas Payton, Tom Harrell, Bob Brookmeyer, Bobby Watson, the Count Basie Orchestra, The Temptations, Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The O’Jays, The Four Tops, May Wilson and Aretha Franklin.

A storyteller at heart, Marques uses his experience and mastery of multi-genre vocabulary to break down barriers between genres writing evocative music that speaks directly to the soul. Rooted in the tradition of Black American Music (BAM), Marques is consciously and decorously challenging norms of genres such as Blues, Funk, Soul, Neo-Soul, and Hip-Hop, expanding and pushing into new places of expression and mastery.

Marques’ latest two records, The Ancestors’ Call, which received a Grammy consideration for Best Jazz album in 2021 and his second album Foundations, which had two tracks licensed on the show “The Bear FX”.

Ticket: $25 (one show) or $60 for all shows tonight (will get a wristband)!