Benji Kaplan Latin Guitarist from New York City, NY

Benji is a Brazilian, jazz and classical guitarist, Vocalist and Composer from NYC. He began playing at age 11, and by age 14 was playing solo jazz, Brazilian and classical guitar performances in New York city and the greater New York area in country clubs, restaurants, recital halls and for Weddings. At 18, Benji went to Brazil to study and learn more about Brazilian music and culture, traveling to the North and South of Brazil, discovering more deeply, his love for samba, Bossa Nova, Choro, and Baiao. Upon returning to NYC he began studying at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary music where he completed his studies as a Jazz Performance major in the spring of 2007. He has since performed in venues such as Prince George Ball Room, Sweet Rhythm, Dizzy's Club at Lincoln Center, The Zinc Bar, Caffe Vivaldi, Smalls, and many others. In 2011 Benji released his 2nd solo album of his latest compositions entitled "Meditacoes no Violao" (Guitar Meditations) and charted # 2 on CMJ Jazz and # 3 on CMJ World music. Reviews: "A guitar player with impeccable technique and fluency. Meditacoes no Violao (guitar meditations) is a collection of poetic and refined compositions, played with a perfect balance of intellect and emotion". - JazzTimes "A New York kid with Brazil in his blood and what appears to be a lightning mind" -MIDWEST RECORD REVIEW Benji is equally comfortable performing in Solo guitar settings playing classical, Brazilian or jazz repertoire, singing and playing Bossa Nova, or playing Jazz standards in trio, duo or solo format, whether it be a Cocktail Hour Reception, Corporate Event, Wedding Ceremony or a Birthday Party. Repertoire includes music from artists such as Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, Chico Buarque, Gershwin, Bach, Joao Pernambuco, Villa Lobos and many others