Benito Gonzalez – a two-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist and master of contemporary jazz – blends a rich lineage of American jazz traditions with rhythms from around the world. His distinctive sound is marked by a powerful rhythm section and Afro-Latin rhythmic patterns that form the foundation of his work. He has collaborated with leading musicians representing diverse currents within jazz.
His critically acclaimed debut album Starting Point was recorded with outstanding artists such as Christian McBride, Antonio Sánchez, René McLean, and Ron Blake. The success of this album brought him widespread recognition as both a composer and pianist, and soon after, he won first prize at the Great American Jazz Piano Competition.
His next album as a bandleader, Passion Reverence Transcendence, reveals a deeply personal dimension of his artistry and confirms his status as an exceptional improviser and leader. The recording is an energetic tribute to the legendary McCoy Tyner and has been described as a beautifully executed, unequivocal triumph of sound and spirit.