Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS Great American Crooners

Soak in the sounds of the velvety melodies and smoky rhythms of quintessential crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Bobby Darin when the golden age of jazz returns with Great American Crooners. A dazzling night of swoon-worthy hits and sentimental serenades await when Benny Benack III (Downbeat Magazine #1 Rising Star), Robbie Lee, and Shenel Johns perform favorites like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Misty,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Moon River” and many, many more.

In addition to soaring vocals, the trio will share incredible true stories about the legendary performers who brought these timeless songs to life.

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About Jazz at Lincoln Center PRESENTS

For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education globally. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center has brought the art form of jazz from the heart of New York City to over 446 cities in more than 40 countries. The organization’s touring initiative provides an affordable opportunity to present great jazz programming, featuring up-and-coming musicians who have been identified as rising stars by JALC. The initiative also allows for expansion of the mission of JALC “to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy.”

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About the Artists

Emmy®-nominated trumpeter and singer Benny Benack III is a rare dual threat, known for his fiery trumpet playing and sly, expressive vocal style on standards and original songs. Recognized in the 2022 DownBeat Critics Poll as a Rising Star Male Vocalist and Trumpeter, he is praised for superb intonation and virtuosic vocalese, and is also an accomplished pianist. Third in a line of Pittsburgh jazz musicians, Benack tours internationally as a bandleader and performer with Postmodern Jukebox, has collaborated with the Grammy®-winning 8-Bit Big Band, and has appeared with Josh Groban, Ben Folds, and leading orchestras worldwide.

With a voice marked by grace and passion, Shenel Johns moves fluidly between jazz, R&B, and gospel, earning recognition as a standout artist of her generation. A Hartford, Connecticut native, she has performed since age 14 and developed a distinctive, eclectic style. Johns holds a B.A. in Music Management from the Jackie McLean Institute at the Hartt School of Music and studied with René McLean, Jimmy Greene, and Nat Reeves. She has shared the stage with Curtis Fuller, Hank Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Sheila Jordan, performed internationally, completed a residency at Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha, and paid tribute to Billie Holiday and Lena Horne at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Robbie Lee is a New York City–based pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator known for seamlessly blending his talents into a compelling artistic voice. Raised in Tucson, Arizona, he discovered jazz through the Tucson Jazz Institute after first falling in love with blues and early rock and roll. A graduate of The Juilliard School (AD ’21) and The Manhattan School of Music (BM ’18), Lee has shared the stage with mentors including Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Herlin Riley, Bruce Barth, Matt Wilson, and Brice Winston. He has performed internationally and earned recognition from DownBeat, YoungArts, Essentially Ellington, and the Next Generation Jazz Festival.

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Other Jazz events you might enjoy

Endea Owens and The Cookout
Sunday, October 12, 7pm

The Branford Marsalis Quartet
Friday, November 14, 7:30pm

Ephrat Asherie Dance + Arturo O’Farrill
Saturday, February 28, 7:30pm

Michael Feinstein and the Carnegie Hall Ensemble
Saturday, April 18, 7:30pm

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The Purchase PAC’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The Purchase PAC is proud to be a grantee of ArtsWestchester with funding made possible by Westchester County government with the support of County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins and the Board of Legislators.