Biography
Los Angeles native, Rhonda Benin 2009’s Bay Area Blues Society’s Vocalist of the Year, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1989 after working with singer Maria Muldaur. In 1990 Bay Area vocalist Linda Tillery invited Rhonda to be a part of an experimental group called the Cultural Heritage Choir (CHC). Today, 18 years and 23 countries later, The CHC has become an internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble performing African American roots music. In 1997 CHC was nominated for a GRAMMY for their CD, Shakin a Tail Feather with bluesmen Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb. In 2001, the group released Say Yo Business, featuring Wilson Pickett, Richie Havens and Odetta. Rhonda also appears on other CHC recordings, Good Time, A Good Time, Hippity Hop and Front Porch Music. Rhonda has shared the stage with Al Green, Santana, Patti Austin, Janis Ian, The Holmes Brothers, Jackson Brown, Hugh Masekela, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Baba Maal, Olu Dara, The Campbell Brothers, Habib Koite, and Rokia Traore´
At home in the Bay Area, Rhonda began making a name for her self as a solo artist with many Bay Area bands. But it was her 12 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 own band Soulful Strut in 1995. Soulful Strut has become a permanent fixture in 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.
For booking information: call 510 435-1384 or email: rbenin@pacbell.net
Or check the website @ www.rhondabenin.com
Instrumentation
Rhonda Benin - Vocals, percussion
Tammy Hall - keys
Michael Robinson - keys
Charles Spikes - guitar
Cedricke Dennis - guitar
Robert Rhodes - drums
Billy Johnson - drums
Ron Belcher - Bass
Discography
Rhonda Benin "A Matter of The Heart"
with Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage Choir
'Good Time, A Good Time'
'Front Porch Music'
'Shakin A Tail Feather'
'Hippity Hop'
'Say Yo Business'
Eric Bibb 'Painting Signs'
Big Money In Jazz 'Tin Roof Blues', 'Funnjazz'
Keith Terry & Crosspulse 'Serpentine'
Hans Thessink 'Lifeline', 'Crazy Moon', 'Songs From The Southland'
Kodo 'Mondo Head'
Maria Mauldar: "Meet Me Where They Play The Blues"
Oliver Schorer 'A Million Stars'
Deidre McCalla 'Playing for Keeps'
Holly Near "Show Up"
Links
| Rhonda Benin - Jazz In The Vineyard 2009 |
| Rhonda Benin @ Eubie Blake Performance Hall 2009 |
| Rhonda Benin @ Tiecon Convention 2009 |