For the better part of 25 years, Marco Benevento has been honing his keyboard and producing skills and his penchant for joyful, energetic performances. This live music magic was on full display on Sunday, February 18th when Benevento took the stage at Portland, Oregon’s The Get Down as part of the city’s Biamp Jazz Festival.
To augment the power of this particular performance, Benevento employed the skills of bass player Reed Mathis (Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey) and drummer David Butler. The trio jammed through a variety of originals and covers, all of which had the crowd joyously dancing and singing along. Newer compositions such as 2019’s “Send It on a Rocket” and “At the End or the Beginning,” from the 2022 album Benevento, fit right in with older works like “At The Show,” which Benevento mentioned was recorded 10 years ago down the road in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Fans were also treated to a cover of Lorde’s “Royals” and Benevento’s unique mashup of Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” with Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets.” He’s also adept at working in teases of popular songs from decades gone by. The Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian” and Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” are two that stood out. Whatever the song, Benevento plays with such elan that the energy becomes contagious, and the crowd matches the exuberance exuding from the stage.
























