Jazz pianist/composer Heather Bennett is awaiting her 2005 release of her fifth recording as a leader. "Reflections on Red,” produced by Apria Records, is a mix of acoustic and electric sounds showcasing Ms. Bennett's original music. Her new lineup of musicians includes: Donny McCaslin on flutes and saxophones; Pete McCann on guitar; Mike Pope on bass; and Ari Hoenig on drums. In addition to her acoustic piano playing, this recording features Ms. Bennett on rhodes electric piano, B-3 organ and voice.

Ms. Bennett released Suite Talk on Apria Records in 2003. This recording has made the top 50 in Jazz Week. This recording features saxophonist, Rick Margitza, trumpeter, Bill Mobley, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Billy Hart. The album, produced by George Schuller, features all original material including two of Bennett’s jazz suites.

Ms. Bennett, born in Buffalo, NY, raised in Needham, MA and Dallas, TX, comes from a rich musical background (her mother is an accomplished classical pianist). Heather began formally studying the piano at the age of seven. She continued her musical studies at Richland College in Dallas, then the University of North Texas and followed her mentor Bert Ligon, to the University of South Carolina where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in jazz performance.

As a fixture on the Austin, TX, scene during the mid-90s, Ms. Bennett released two self-produced CDs: the first, New Light (1996), consists entirely of her own compositions. Her second CD, Throwing Sparks (1997), features an all woman trio of Texas personnel.

In 1997, Ms. Bennett moved to New York City to become part of a large community of prominent jazz musicians. She also continued her studies privately with Richie Beirach and later Sal Mosca. In 1998, she organized an all female quintet of New Yorkers with Houston bassist Erin Wright which debuted at the Sumarts Jazz Festival in Houston, recorded, then toured all over Texas.

Her premiere New York release is All Through The Night (2000), with drummer Billy Hart, bassist Dennis Irwin, and alto saxophonist Dave Pietro. Interspersed between Bennett’s originals are a combination of tunes from Cyndi Lauper’s “All Through the Night” to the American classic “Sleepy time Down South”

Heather has performed with her own groups at jazz clubs in New York City and surrounding areas (Ryles in Boston, Cleopatra’s Needle, Up Over Jazz Cafe in New York, Ortliebs in Philadelphia and more). In addition to these appearances, Ms. Bennett, with Billy Hart and Dennis Irwin, was featured for the Melon Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, and she has done numerous Texas tours featuring her music.

Ms. Bennett is currently performing with Bill Mobley's Space Time Big Band, Elephunk (a nine piece jazz/funk band), Mujeres Latinas (an all female Salsa band) singing and playing jazz standards with her trio, playing Gospel music in church and freelancing with several jazz, R&B, and pop projects. She also teaches piano, vocals and jazz improvisation in New York City schools. In addition, Ms. Bennett recently returned from a solo piano tour of Germany for the “Off New York” festival: the tour was kicked off at New York’s “Imagine” Festival, 2004.

She has performed and/or recorded with Billy Hart, Rufus Reid, Dennis Irwin, Will Lee, Dave Pietro, Roseanna Vitro, Randy Brecker, Ingrid Jensen, Greg Tardy, Ed Schuller, Rick Margitza, Danny Walsh, Daniel Carter, Pamela Hart, Ratzo Harris, Jazz Sawyer, George Schuller, Ari Hoenig. Mike Pope, Bill Mobley, Pete McCann, and Donny McCaslin among others. Last year she had the opportunity to play and sing for Liza Minelli. In 2004 she opened with Mujeres Latinas for Ray Barretto.

Heather Bennett is represented by Abby Hoffer Enterprises, telephone (212) 397-7960 and Apria Records, telephone (636) 285-9733.National radio promotion by Dr. Jazz Operations. (800) 955-4375. Ms. Bennett’s recordings can be purchased on the web at www.HeatherBennett.net.