Press
“Benito Gonzalez’s arrangements allow the listener to get lost in [the] suite-like structure of his works, the crescendos of ensemble fireworks, and the often bluesy musings he intersperses throughout. If this represents Gonzalez’s Starting Point, I can’t wait to hear what follows.”
- Mark Holston, Jazziz
“The standout track here is a graceful “I’ll Remember April,” which features fiery soloing from pianist Benito Gonzalez.”
- Lucy Tauss, JazzTimes
“Gonzalez played with a vibrant and exciting style. Often during his aggressive solos he raised off the bench to get better leverage to pound out the notes…He showed his versatility by slowing the pace for the ballad.”
- Dan MacDonald, Florida Times-Union
“…[Kenny] Garrett began by pouring his unflagging melodic inventiveness into a 15-minute monologue, while his fiery young band thrashed around him. Impressive Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzalez (a Tyner devotee) took over for a similar flame-throwing exercise…he and Gonzalez then played a meditative medley of…folk songs that held the club in complete silence.”
- John Fordham, The Guardian
“His own piece, “Starting Point,” was a bold, dramatic means of introduction to a robust, sharply incisive style…he brought the audience into the action, making them feel invested in the execution of his vision. His solo take on “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” evoked the memory of Art Tatum, in that is was “more” than a ballad.”
- Minority Report by Shelton Hull, Ink19
“The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz make this passionate performer an audience favorite all over the world.”
- The Kennedy Center