Creative music has been getting a lot of attention these days from TVD New Orleans and from writers across the city. One of the reasons has been an influx of talent moving to the city as well as visiting to perform.
Benetti is a well-regarded Italian drummer, composer, and improviser who first visited in 2008 to interact with the city’s great musicians. He moved here in 2011 and celebrates the release of his second American recording at Snug Harbor on Sunday night.
From East To West is the name of the album and it features three stalwarts of the local scene. Helen Gillet plays cello, Rex Gregory is on clarinets and flute, and Jeff Albert is on trombone. The record was recorded at Esplanade Studios, the newest recording studio in the city, which is getting rave reviews for it’s acoustics, environment, and the skills of its engineer. The same wonderful musicians appeared on his first album in the U.S.
Benetti said in an e-interview, “New Orleans influenced me immediately.” He believes his drumming “got richer and more interesting” since moving here. Additionally, while his previous approach to music was to “change direction often and suddenly,” now he gives his musical ideas time to evolve.
The same four musicians—known as the Shuffled 4et—will be appearing at Snug Harbor. Sets are at 8 and 10 PM.
