Benet McLean

Benet is a fine musician who started playing violin at the age of 3. After winning a scholarship to the Purcell School of Music by the time he was in his early teens, he was tipped for big things within the classical world (along with his brother Viv, now a successful concert pianist). Destined to be a concert violinist all was going smoothly until, in his early teens, he heard a Dizzy Gillespie recording...and everything changed. He developed a burning desire to play jazz and by his early 20's had transferred his complete musical attention to piano. Since then his powerful, driving, piano playing has been heard not only with his own masterful quartet but also with the likes of Omar, Steve Williamson, Carleen Anderson, Kevin Haynes, Roachford and Dennis Rollins’s Badbone & Co with whom he toured and recorded. However, in a further musical twist, after performing as a highly regarded pianist for over 10 years Benet has once again returned to his first love, the violin, but this time as a swinging and immensely creative jazz musician. With his phenomenal technique and years of experience of performing at the highest level Benet has been making serious waves as a jazz violinist, including highly acclaimed appearances with the iconic jazz big band Loose Tubes during their recent performances at Ronnie Scott’s Club. Performing on violin for the gig this evening, Benet will be playing a mix of what he describes as "choice standards" along with a selection of his own excellent compositions and those of his accompanying band members. A remarkable performer, Benet is one of the very few musicians working on the international scene to have successfully melded diverse styles of jazz to create a unique and truly exhilarating musical identity. Also featured tonight will be Dan Casimir-bass and Clark Tracey-drums (Sat 9th).

"Benet McLean....positively bursting with talent and energy" Jazzwise;
"Benet McLean is musically fearless with the facility and skill to back it up! Watch this guy, he is a massive talent" Julian Joseph;
“McLean…concise, witty...” BBC