Vocalist Rhonda Benin sings jazz, blues, rhythm & blues, big band, pop or African American folk songs and makes it all look easy. With a voice described as caramel sweetened with honey, Benin has earned a reputation for not just a good voice but showmanship, magnetic stage personality, humor, and of course her great dancing.
At home in the Bay Area, Rhonda began making a name for her self as a solo artist but, it was her 9 year stint with Mal Sharpe’s Big Money In Jazz Band which gave her visibility on the nightclub and festival circuits and led her to form her band Soulful Strut. Soulful Strut has become a permanent fixture on the San Francisco music scene. “My band has been described as a jazz band drenched in soul with a solid helping of the blues”. In 2006 Rhonda produced and released her first solo CD, A Matter of the Heart a classic mix of jazz, blues, and soul. Along with Rhonda’s vocals, A Matter of the Heart showcases the best Bay Area musicians, pianist Tammy Hall, drummer Darrell Green, saxophonist Charles McNeal, guitarist Cedricke Dennis and Bassist Ron Belcher. The title song, written by Benin, features a classic vocal/bass duet with veteran musician, composer and music “guru” Harley White.
Originally from Los Angeles, Benin moved to the Oakland, CA in 1989 after working a weekend gig with singer Maria Muldaur. Once in Oakland, she worked for The Oakland Ensemble Theatre, as a receptionist. “That job and that desk led me to opportunities in live theatre, commercial jingles, my AFTRA card, and a better job as chorus manager of the esteemed Oakland Youth Chorus where she met veteran vocalist Linda Tillery who later invited her to join an experimental vocal group. Today Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage Choir is a GRAMMY nominated vocal ensemble. 20 years later, having toured most of the world, Rhonda’s work with Linda and The CHC has led her to perform and record with legendary artists Taj Mahal, Wilson Pickett, Richie Havens, Odetta. Al Green, Keb Mo, Santana, Patti Austin, Janis Ian, Jackson Brown, Hugh Masekela, Sweet Honey In The Rock.
Rhonda is 2011 Artists In Residence at 4 Bay Area Elementary Schools. She is on the teaching staff of Jam Camp West, Healdsburg Jazz Festivals, Operation Jazz Band, The San Francisco Arts Project, Girl Blues and Jazz Camp, and conducts her own school assemblies and workshops, “The Voice, The Hands The Feet” “Twist and Shout” and “Love Letters Make Me Misty Blue”.
For booking information: call 510 435-1384 or email: beninrhonda@yahoo.com
Or check the website @ www.rhondabenin.com www.myspace.com/rhondabenin
“If you can’t sing a song, let BeninSing It!”