Takeshi Ohbayashi
Biography
Ever since his graduation from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Takeshi Ohbayashi has been active as a premiere jazz pianist/keyboardist based in New York City. Takeshi has performed at the major jazz clubs and festivals across the globe with his own bands and he has released 11 albums as a leader. In 2016, Takeshi won the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, being the first Japanese pianist in history to do so. Some of the notables that Takeshi has played with internationally include: Terri Lyne Carrington, Takuya Kuroda, Jose James, and Nate Smith. He also is an in demand collaborator beyond jazz these days, and he has worked with leading musicians across genres such as MISIA, Mayu Kishima and many more.
Projects
“TBN TRIO”
Takeshi Obayashi (Piano)
Ben Williams (Bass)
Nate Smith (Drums)
Three forerunners of the contemporary music scene join forces creating a brand new music integrating jazz, hip-hop, R&B, black music, rock, pops and the music of today.
Come and experience the incomparable kaleidoscope of rhythm, groove and vibe reflecting the pure joy of music and life.
Takeshi Ohbayashi
As Japan’s premiere pianist in his generation, Takeshi has been establishing his career internationally ever since his graduation from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Based in New York, he has performed at the major jazz clubs and festivals across the globe, winning both the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition and DC Jazz Prix in 2016. Takeshi has played internationally with notable musicians such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Jose James, Nate Smith and many others. He is also an in demand collaborator working with leading musicians across genres such as Japanese superstar diva MISIA, classical violinist Mayu Kishima and many more.
Ben Williams
After winning the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2009, for more than a decade, Ben has steadily become one of the most acclaimed and versatile bassists in modern jazz. He has performed/recorded with such giants as Pat Metheny, George Benson, Stefon Harris, David Sanborn, Lauryn Hill, Wynton Marsalis, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, and Nicholas Payton. In 2013 and 2015 Williams received the DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll Rising Star Award for Bass.
Nate Smith
For nearly two decades, Nate Smith has been a key piece in reinvigorating the international music scene with his visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming. He holds a diverse and ample résumé — which includes work with esteemed jazz leading lights such as Pat Metheny, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, José James, John Patitucci, Ravi Coltrane, and Somi among many others. His 2x GRAMMY-nominated debut album, KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere, sees Smith fusing his original modern jazz compositions with R&B, pop, and hip-hop.
“Trio Renaissance”
Takeshi Ohbayashi (Piano)
Alon Benjamini (Drums)
Alon Near (Bass)
Following his journey around the globe chasing the new horizon of jazz music, Japan’s premiere jazz pianist in his generation, Takeshi Ohbayashi is now setting off for another adventure to inherit the art form of jazz piano trio by pursuing the “golden ratio” from great American songbook and legacy of legendary piano trios of the 20th century.
By creating authentic swing feel, enhancing melodic and harmonic concept, Trio Renaissance performs songs from old jazz classics to brand new compositions with modern update without losing blues and primitive melodic simplicity written by Takeshi within the size and format of the “Real Book”.
Takeshi Ohbayashi
As Japan’s premiere jazz pianist in his generation, Takeshi has been establishing his career internationally ever since his graduation from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Based in New York, he has performed at the major jazz clubs and festivals across the globe. winning both the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition and DC Jazz Prix in 2016. Takeshi has played internationally with notable musicians such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Jose James, Nate Smith and many others. He is also an in demand collaborator working with leading musicians across genres such as Japanese super-star diva MISIA, classical violinist Mayu Kishima and many more.
Alon Benjamini
Drummer, composer, sound & mix & master engineer, born in 1996. Graduate of the jazz department at Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts & The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music and 2014 and 2016 scholarship recipient from the America Israel Cultural Foundation. Endorser of Canopus Drums. Currently lives in New York and continues to collaborate with elite musicians around the world such as Reggie Workman, Avishai Cohen, Gilad Hekselman, Takeshi Ohbayashi, Eli Degibri, Yotam Silberstein, Omer Avital, and many others.
Alon Near
Bass player born in Israel. Alon splits his time between New York and Tel Aviv.
He started his music education at 14 and quickly gained recognition. Notable early achievements include winning the 1st prize at the “Rostov International Jazz Competition” in 2013 and receiving a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music in 2011. He was also a finalist in "The Jazz Musician" competition at the Rimon School for Contemporary Music.After moving to New York in 2015, Alon graduated from the New School For Jazz with an Honorary Degree. He then embarked on a professional career, performing with acclaimed musicians like Grammy Award Winner Billy Childs, saxophonist Eli Degibri, and pianist Johnny O’Neal. His performances have featured at notable venues and festivals, including the New York Winter Jazz Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center.In 2021, Alon achieved 3rd prize in the “International Society of Bass Players” competition. He currently leads his own band, with “Herbie Hancock Competition” winner Tom Oren, performing globally.