Christian Wiggs Big Band: "A Fine Bromance - Part II" feat. Benny Benack III

Tue, Oct 17

Join us for a live taping and listening-room concert for the Christian Wiggs Big Band: "A Fine Bromance - Part II" feat. Benny Benack III Christian Wiggs - Vocals Benny Benack III - Trumpet / Vocals Aubrey Logan - Vocals / Trombone Luther S. Allison - Piano Alexander Claffy - Bass Daniel Dufour - Drums Matthew Maldonado - Reed 1 Paulo Santos - Reed 2 Diego Rivera - Reed 3 Elias Haslanger - Reed 4 John Mills - Reed 5 Leo Gauna - Trombone 1 Paul Deemer - Trombone 2 Sam Dimov - Trombone 3 Aaron Garcia - Bass Trombone Eric Johnson - Trumpet 1 Tito Carrillo - Trumpet 2 Chris Cermak - Trumpet 3 Santana Rojas - Trumpet 4 CHRISTIAN WIGGS: Taking inspiration from luminaries such as Kurt Elling, Christian Wiggs is a vocalist, bandleader, lyricist, producer, director, artist manager, educator and founder of Bandstand Presents. Born to a choreographer, Wiggs’ immersion into theatre and the jazz tradition has led to a remarkable career having performed on prolific stages including Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note New York, Jazz at Lincoln Center (Dizzy’s Club), Vibrato Grill Jazz, SXSW Music Festival, The 1905, Sam First, Jazz TX and Monks Jazz. Christian has shared the stage with acclaimed musicians such as Benny Benack III, Bryan Carter, Steven Feifke, Martina DaSilva, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Lauren Sevian, Bijon Watson, Alexa Tarantino, Danny Jonokuchi, Summer Camargo, Troy Roberts and Jennifer Wharton, Wiggs has produced and distributed records for Emmet Cohen, Bryan Carter, Steven Feifke, Benny Benack and Kate Kortum. Not only a musical collaborator, Wiggs serves as artist management for Tony Award-winner Bryan Carter. BENNY BENACK III: By age 32, Emmy-nominated trumpeter and singer Benny Benack III has proven to be that rarest of talents: not only a fiery trumpet player with a stirring command of the postbop trumpet vernacular in the vein of Kenny Dorham and Freddie Hubbard, but also a singer with a sly, mature, naturally expressive delivery in the post-Sinatra mold, performing standards and his own astute songs with a thrilling sense of showmanship. This dual-threat ability was recognized by the 2022 Downbeat Critics Poll where he appeared as not only the #2 Rising Star Male Vocalist, but a top Rising Star Trumpeter as well. His superb intonation and bracing virtuosity enable him to handle astounding feats of originally composed vocalese (complex solos with written lyrics). On top of it all, he’s a highly capable pianist as well. Benny has performed internationally as an Emcee/Host for the Youtube sensation Postmodern Jukebox, and achieved his own viral success amassing millions of views for his crooning alongside the Grammy-award winning “8-Bit Big Band”. Benny has appeared as a trumpet soloist in more commercial circles alongside Josh Groban, Ben Folds and fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi. His television credits include playing in the house bands for CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and NBC’s “Maya and Marty”. Benack has been featured at Birdland, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, Mezzrow, Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle and has also been a special guest with the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops Orchestra, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Minsk Philharmonic Orchestra. BANDSTAND PRESENTS: Evolving from a single quarantine project (“Off The Bandstand”), Bandstand Presents is an Austin-based production company, record label and artist agency. Founded by vocalist, bandleader, lyricist and producer, Christian Wiggs, and producer Kirk Word, Bandstand is committed to the inclusivity, visibility, and collaboration of jazz scenes across the nation. In just two years, Bandstand has established a national presence - their work being featured through NBC, ABC World News Now, NPR Live Sessions, Playbill, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway World, SXSW, JAZZIZ, Queerty, Pride.com, and Sirius XM. In Fall of 2021, Bandstand began producing its residency series featuring guest artists including Bryan Carter, Martina DaSilva, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Benny Benack III, Steven Feifke, Aubrey Logan, Dan “Chimy” Chmielinski, Mathis Picard, Daniel Foose, Clark Sommers and George Fludas. As educational and musical investment are paramount, Bandstand Presents has facilitated partnerships with developmental institutions such as University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, New School of Music Austin and the Women in Jazz Association. Please Note: This is a live-taping, so we'll be enforcing a whisper-policy! Cold bottles of still and sparkling water will be available for purchase, but this event is BYOB. Ice will be available if needed, wine keys and 9oz cups provided! 22 free parking spaces onsite are first-come-first-serve. Doors at 6:45pm, show at 7pm.