[The Benny Green Trio live with Harry Allen]

As a teenager, pianist Benny Green worked with Eddie Henderson and got big band experience with a twelve.jpgece group led by Chuck Israels. After a stint with Bobby Watson, Green worked with Betty Carter, Art Blakey, and Freddie Hubbard.

Green has spent the last decade leadings his own trios, accompanying singers, and collaborating with guitarist Russell Malone. He cites Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamal, Phineas Newborn, Bud Powell, and Oscar Peterson as main influences. He says, "For me and a lot of musicians that I admire, the main focus is to just swing and have fun and share those feelings with the audience. If I’m able to convey that, then I feel like I’m doing something positive."

Benny Green will be playing at the Upstage Restaurant in downtown Port Townsend on both Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. His sets start at 10 pm and last until after midnight. Tickets are available by calling Centrum at 360.385.3102, x117 and online on our secure Acteva site.