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Benise performing "Dress of a Thousand Roses." COURTESY THE SUFFOLK
Last year Benise (pronounced Buh-nes-say), “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” debuted his 5th national PBS special Strings of Hope and launched his 20th Anniversary Tour. Armed with his Spanish guitar and a stage full of musicians and elaborately choreographed dancers, Benise takes the audience on a musical journey through Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Parisian Waltz, exotic drumming and more.
On Wednesday, September 21, Suffolk Theater in Riverhead presents Benise in concert at 7:30 p.m.
The 20th Anniversary tour establishes Benise’s Emmy Award winning show as one of the longest running global Latin-themed theatrical productions and solidifies the performer as America’s foremost native-born ambassador of Spanish guitar. Rarely is an artist capable of touching the hearts and souls of people of all ages, cultures, and diverse musical backgrounds. For Benise, music has always been a journey … from his humble beginnings as a street performer to performing around the world.
In addition to organizing stunning live shows, Benise took his career by the reins by producing, arranging and releasing 13 albums on his own independent record label, Spanish Guitar Entertainment, plus 5 DVDs. The recordings capture the expressive Spanish guitar arrangements that stem from influences around the world, carrying listeners to such culturally rich destinations as Spain, Africa, Brazil, the Mediterranean, Cuba, India and Egypt.
“I wanted to push the boundaries of traditional Nuevo Flamenco/Spanish guitar while combining the elements of dance and theater,” Benise said. “This show is a celebration of music, love and life. I’m always inspired by places I’ve traveled, so I’ll try to capture the essence and beauty of the different places in my melodies.
“It’s truly like painting on air — creating colors and lush soundscapes that take people (and me) away to a safe place with no prejudice and no boundaries.”
Tickets for Benise at Suffolk Theater are $49 to $59 at SuffolkTheater.com. Suffolk Theater is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.
Staff Writer on Sep 11, 2022