The Giant Steps Jazz Combo

• Chris Benavidez - Saxophone
• Chris Finet - Bass
• Erik Teichmann - Drums

The Giant Steps Jazz Combo is a small 3-piece band - Saxophone, Bass, and Drums. This band is perfect for any occasion. The band plays instrumental jazz music from Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and other "Jazz Standards" artists.

As a band, we know you need a group that sounds good, looks good, and is on-time for your event. When you book with us, Gigmasters guarantees your event in writing. All of the dates, times, payment instructions, and specific terms about band breaks are agreed to in-writing before you sign-up.

The band is led by Saxophonist Chris Benavidez. Chris went to college at Northern Arizona University where he received a B.A. in Music Performance. In college, he worked regularly with top jazz professionals such as Joel DiBartolo (Bassist from "The Tonight Show Band"), Zirque Bonner (Bass player for Stanley Jordan), and Joe Palmer (Saxophonist for the Woody Herman Band). After graduation, Chris spent a year working as Professor of Music at Coconino Community College, School of Music, in Flagstaff, AZ. Chris is a founding member of The Giant Steps Jazz Band, Leader of Pithecanthropus Erectus - A Tribute to Charles Mingus, and Owner of Live Music Productions, L.L.C.

4 Hours = $525

3 Hours = $450

2 Hours = $375

• So What - Miles Davis
• My Favorite Things - John Coltrane
• Freddie Freeloader - Miles Davis
• Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Cannonball Adderley
• Goodbye Pork Pie Hat - Charles Mingus
• One O'Clock Jump - Count Basie
• Naima - John Coltrane
• Giant Steps - John Coltrane
• Dolphin Dance - Herbie Hancock
• Alone Together - Grant Green
• It Might as Well be Spring - Sarah Vaughan
• Red Clay - Freddie Hubbard
• Confirmation - Charlie Parker
• Pithecanthropus Erectus - Charles Mingus
• In A Sentimental Mood - Duke Ellington
• Sea Journey - Chick Corea
• Well You Needn't - Thelonious Monk
• E.S.P. - Miles Davis
• Butterfly - Herbie Hancock
• The Days of Wine and Roses - Henry Mancini
• Sugar - Stanley Turrentine
• What Is This Thing Called Love - Cole Porter
• Recordame - Joe Henderson
• Nostalgia In Times Square - Charles Mingus
• Oleo - Sonny Rollins
• Nardis - Miles Davis
• Lady Bird - Tadd Dameron
• Jump Monk - Charles Mingus
• Inner Urge - Joe Henderson
• In A Mellow Tone - Duke Ellington
• Blues For Alice - Charlie Parker
• Blue Trane - John Coltrane
• Corcovado - A.C. Jobim
• Daahoud - Clifford Brown
• Take The "A" Train - Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn
• Straight, No Chaser - Thelonius Monk
• Windows - Chick Corea
• Song For My Father - Horace Silver
• Yes Or No - Wayne Shorter
• St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins
• Misty - Errol Garner
• Lush Life - Billy Strayhorn
• Joy Spring - Clifford Brown
• Four On Six - Wes Montgomery

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Halloween Parties, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• They are GREAT!! Stop reading and searching now and book them!! They were perfect for my parents 50th Anniversary Party, and even with the short notice they learned and preformed my parents song it made my mom soooo happy. Havent seen my folks dance in a long time it was nice to watch. Thank you guys!! You are my go to band from now on! RuthE -- Ruth H, Scottsdale, AZ, 3/31/2012
• They were great!! Thank YOU! -- Jaime S, Phoenix, AZ, 4/14/2012
• The Giant Steps Band was perfect....Classy & Tasteful music..jazz and popular music. I think they would be great for any event. Good song selection. They were there an hour early and ready to go well in advance of our starting time. The music was incredible. The overall talent of this band was very, very high. We are happy we hired them. -- Valerie M, Scottsdale, AZ, 12/17/2010
• Chris and the guys were amazing! We were a bit nervous at first, because we had never heard them play in person. Chris was in contact with us constantly to reassure us that everything would work out..and it did! They arrived early and were already playing when we showed up. The music was perfect! We could not believe all the complements we received on our choice of bands. The room was an elegant ballroom and the music was a perfect fit. They were the perfect volume so people could talk and they kicked it up as the night got later so we could all dance. We would definitely recommend them for your wedding reception or any type of event. They were first class! -- Dale T, Tucson, AZ, 1/19/2008
• Giant Steps gave me exactly what I desired for my event. They were just the right vibe, just the right volume and very low maintenance. -- Ling T, Scottsdale, AZ, 12/7/2007
• Chris was perfect to work with. He was available and professional. The guests loved the band and we all agreed we would hire them again in a heartbeat!! -- Donna K, Phoenix, AZ, 4/5/2008
• They played well, were professional, and were able to mix well with our diverse audience. I would recommend them to anyone! -- Zaira L, Peoria, AZ, 12/15/2007
• Chris kept in touch with us regularly in the months leading up to the event and his outstanding professionalism was a pleasant surprise! All special requests were handled impeccably and our wedding guests raved about the music at our wedding! Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience! -- Karen M, Chandler, AZ, 2/14/2009
• Giant Steps Jazz Band is a talented group of musicians who can both take over an event or blend in the background. They played at our gala fundraiser, a $300/plate event, and I received nothing but rave reviews in reference to their performance. Whether you love jazz or think it all sounds the same, Giant Steps Jazz Band will knock you off your feet! -- Angie M, Scottsdale, AZ, 10/27/2007

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