Clay Benjamin

About

Clay Benjamin’s, interest in music began at the early age of five years old, while watching his father playing the guitar at church. He has been surrounded by a family full of talented musicians that have helped influence his gift of playing the guitar. In 1986, he was blessed to perform in his very first live recording with a local group called "One Accord", headed by Minister Luke Schumpert. In the summer of 1997, Clay auditioned for the Orlando based smooth jazz artist, Paul Howards Group, and became their lead guitarist. Following this achievement, Clay has had the opportunity to perform with many great artists such as Allen & Allen, Yolanda Adams, Dorothy Norwood, Lisa McClendon, Donnie Mcclurkin, The Ga. Mass Choir, Marvin Sapp and many more. Clay also became the lead guitarist for the Fusion Jazz group, “Segue”and recorded their first album, “Tell ya in a second” in 1997. With this group and The Paul Howards band, Clay has had the opportunity to be the opening act to such great artists as The Yellow Jackets, Chuck Loeb, Four Play, The Rippingtons, James Brown, Kool and The Gang, Ray Charles, Morris Day and The Time, The Commodores and many more. His most recent achievement was becoming the lead and rhythm guitarist for Rev. Al Green. Clay had the opportunity to tour all over the world for 2 years with Al Green, playing in many prestigious venues such as The Royal Albert Hall in London, The Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood Ca., The Manchester coliseum in Manchester England, The Red Rock Amphitheatre in Colorado, The BB King Blues Club in NY, The Madison Square Garden in NY and many more. Currently, Clay is still very active in the local music scene as the lead guitarist for Jacksonville’s very own” Diggin Rhythm and Brass and has recently put out his first solo album entitled, "Intervention". The project will feature not only Clay's unique soulful, funky, jazzy rhythmic guitar style, but also his melodic vocal arrangements and clever writing abilities. Clay has been influenced and inspired by such artists as John Mayer, Sting, Seal, Prince, Michael Jackson and The Dave Matthews Band and I'm sure that we will be hearing a lot about him and his music in the near future.

Personnel

Al Reshard: Manager
Alvin Armstrong: Lead and background vocalist
Colby Straughter: Music Director and Drummer
Eric Charlton: Guitarist
Tommy Gilstrap: Bass player
Marcus Douglas: Keyboard player

Influences

John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Sting, The Police, Seal, George Benson, Norman Brown, Pat Metheny, Eric Johnson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Fourplay, The YellowJackets

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 45 - 120 minutes

If you're in the audience during a Clay Benjamin performance you will experience a heart warming, energetic, show that will display the talent of my guitar playing, lead vocals and professional sound of a band that has been playing individually and collectively for a long time. I have been performing for over 20 years as a professional musician and have played stadium status venues all over the world, so with that experience I know how to connect with my audience and perform at a high level in any kind of setting wether it's at a wedding party, a club, a festival or auditorium. With that being said, you can be sure that if me and my band show up to perform, you will be pleased with what you see and hear!.

Additional Notes:
Backline request for Clay Benjamin

Two 4’10 Fender Hot Rod Deville Amps
Two monitors
3 guitar stands
Korg digital guitar tuner


Backline request for Guitarist Eric Charlton

Radial Acoustic DI box (for acoustic guitar)
Shure SM-58 mic for vocals/speech
Ampeg GVT 2x12 guitar amp w 2x12 extension cab
Shure SM57 and or Sennheiser 421 mics for amps
If guitars need to be provided I would prefer Larrivee Acoustic Guitar w cutaway and electronics and a PRS Custom 24
Need hookups for laptop and pro tools at least 8 channels
Need a monitor wedge
Need In-Ear wireless monitor system w built in limiter

Backline request for keyboardist Marcus Douglas

Motif es 8 Norg Electronic Piano
Triton Extream
All keyboards going stereo
A double keyboard stand Quick stands and one single
Three Maudio sustain pedals

Backline request for Bassist Tommy Gillstrap

No less than 500 watt RMS head, cab with 6 10" speakers or 2 cabs with 4 10"s. Brands in order of preference: MarkBass, Aguilar, Eden, Gallien-Krueger, Genz Benz.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
For 1 or 2 man show set list:
Blues Guitar song
I’ve got you under my skin, (by Frank Sinatra)me on the lead vocal
Fly me to the moon, by (Frank Sinatra)me on the lead vocal
Just the two of us, by (Bill Withers)me on the lead vocal
What’s going on, by (Marvin Gaye)me on the lead vocal
My girl, by (The Temptations)
What you won’t do for love, by (Bobby Caldwell) me on the lead vocal
Lovely day, by (Bill Withers) With me doing the lead vocal
Kiss of life, by ( Sade)jazz instrumental
Morning, by (Al Jareau)jazz instrumental
So Amazing, by (Luther Vandros)jazz instrumental
The girl is mine, by (Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney)jazz instrumental
Put your records on, by (Corinne Bailey Rae)jazz instrumental
The way it is, by (Bruce Hornsby) with me doing the lead vocal
Home Life, by (John Mayer) me on lead vocal
Why Georgia why, by (John Mayer) me on lead vocal
I’ve got a woman, by (Ray Charles) me on lead vocal
Turn your love around, by (George Benson) jazz instrumental
Isn’t she lovely, by (Stevie Wonder) jazz instrumental
Give me the night, by (George Benson) me on lead vocal
Sweetest taboo, by (Sade) jazz instrumental
Sir Duke, by (Stevie Wonder)jazz instrumental
My Cherie Amour, by (Stevie Wonder) jazz instrumental

The Clay Benjamin Band set list:
Middle of the road
Far away
Broken
Walking by myself
The way it is
Home
One world is enough
I shot the sheriff
(Medly’s) My girl, sitting on the dock of the bay, I’ve been loving you too long
Seven days
Superstition
Free

My other band "True Soul" set list: Funk,jazz soul fusion band

Summer time
Breezin
Affirmation
Good morning
Mister magic
Lovely day
What’s going on
Let’s stay together



My girl
Just the two of us
What you won’t do for love
Give me the night
Word up
Ordinary people
Ain’t too proud to beg
Never too much
Get down on it


Never let you go (Frankie Beverly)
Diamonds and pearls
Let’s go crazy
Kiss
Brick House
Jungle boogie
Single life (Cameo)
Celebration
All night long

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Birthday Party, Casino, Christmas Party, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Cruise, Dinner Dance, Fair, Festival, Fundraiser, Holiday Party, Hotel, Launch Party, Luncheon/Tea, Other, Parade, Private Party, Restaurant, Reunion, Sporting Event, Studio Session, Trade Show, Wedding Reception, Workshop

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