Benni Chawes (Vocal Jazz)
Benni Chawes' HumanBass is a modern interpretation of the most ancient of instruments the human voice. Chawes pushes the boundaries of musician-as-instrument in his solo effort, as he demonstrates his virtuosity with vocal instrumental sounds. Chawes sings the bass, drums, percussion, synth, guitar, tuba etc. all produced with his voice. In performance as HumanBass, Chawes rouses his audiences, mixing different instrumental sounds into the course of a tune, and performs thrilling vocal bass and percussion combinations. Chawes plays with funk grooves and percussive "slap bass" solos and fill-ins; smooth and complex walking bass lines; fretless, electric solos; and "playes" instrumental-like be-bob solos with sounds like synth, guitar- and horn-synth all with the voice. HumanBass is backed up by traditional instruments, performing in duo or combo settings, which throws an exhilarating twist to traditional orchestration. Performing in a solo setting as well illustrates Chawes' capacity of being up to four instruments a the same time.
Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Chawes studied piano there, and at Berklee College of Music, Boston, where he graduated with a degree in piano performance. Formerly the bass singer of the acclaimed American a cappella jazz group, Vox One, Chawes is featured on their fourth, award winning release, Chameleon (PAC Records.) The album won three recording awards:
"Artist of the Year; Best Jazz Album; Best Jazz Song" - 1998 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, Contemporary A Cappella Society of America.
Vox One has performed throughout the US, Canada and Japan, and has opened for Ray Charles, Chicago, Count Basie Orchestra among others.
"You made my night." - Ray Charles.
Chawes vocal bass singing has been compared to the playing of Larry Graham, Jaco Pastorius, and the bass players of Tower of Power, and Earth, Wind and Fire. He has appeared on a number of radio and television shows in Europe, Canada and the US, with US nation wide spots, including NPR, WCVB-TV, CHANNEL 4, and the Arthel and Fred Show.
Chawes holds an award for Outstanding Musicianship (bass singer) in 1993 (International Association of Jazz Educators - IAJE.) and won "Band of the year" in Denmark in 1991.
Benni Chawes has performed/recorded with Boston Symphany Orchestra (POPS), Aaron Neville, Vox One, Bob Moses, Laszlo Gardony, Al Agami, Jan Glaesel, Thomas Blackman, Erann D. Drori, Richard Evans (Grammy Award winning producer for Natalie Cole), Five O'Clock Shadow, Peter Calo (Carley Simon's lead-guitarist), Thomas Clausen, Sankt Annae Gymnasium Choir (175 singers), Jorgen Emborg, Carsten Sonderskov, Jacob Karlson etc.
Benni Chawes is a great Danish jazz singer; seductive and masculine, as velvety soft as Barry White spiked with dashes of Tony Bennett, Al Jarreau and Bill Withers. He has an impressive voice, and he is capable of seducing any audience, especially those of the female gender. Anyone who has heard him in person knows this is true.
Finally the album is here to show off this sublime Danish vocal talent. UP CLOSE documents Benni Chawes close behind a microphone backed by an outstanding trio.
Chris Minh Doky (who once visited Thailand in celebrating 50th Anniversary of His King Majesty's Accession to the throne at Suan Amporn in 1996) produced the CD, but luckily he also plays bass. Vocalist Malene Mortensen pays a guest visit for a couple of inspired duets.
UP CLOSE shows a more subdued side of Benni Chawes. He no longer needs to display his enormous virtuosity - to the contrary. These days the song, the story and the emotional content is most important to him.
UP CLOSE is acoustic music delivered by a crooner with presence and intensity and set in a universe of smooth jazz. Benni Chawes spreads a warm feel-good mood with catchy tunes and lyrics that send his audience on their way with a smile on their faces and a song in their hearts.Check out www.chawes.net |
