Benny Green-Magic Beans (Sunnyside 2013)

For his historic Sunnyside release, Magic Beans, Benny Green crafted ten new pieces performed by his working trio. Remarkably, this release marks Benny’s first self-produced trio recording of all original compositions in a career that spans decades: notably as a star sideman with Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Ray Brown and culminating in over 20 years as a leader.  

While having favored to sprinkle his recordings with standards, Benny Green has always been a composer, contributing new music to all of his leader dates, as well as records by Blakey, Hubbard, and Brown. However, in 2012, Benny experienced what could only be characterized as a compositional break-through—prolifically writing all the tunes recorded on Magic Beans in what was, seemingly, one afternoon. Benny then decided to embark on the recording of this album with his trusted Messenger mates: the brilliant Peter Washington on bass and the legendary Kenny Washington on drums. Thus, Magic Beans took root.
Sunnyside