Nov. 17, 2021

Common Threads between Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, Sheila E, The Crusaders and Enjoying Fresh Strawberries with Benny Rietveld

Bassist with Miles Davis and Carlos Santana speaks to T.L. Mazumdar

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Show Notes
Guest Profile

Born to immigrant parents in the Netherlands before migrating to the US as an infant, Benny Rietveld left his native home of Hawaii in early adulthood be 'raised again in San Francisco and New York, (currently residing in Los Angeles)'. During which he went on to build a career possibly unparalleled in the manner it acts as a common thread between artists as iconic and diverse as Miles Davis, Carlos Santana (with whom he's been MD for over a decade), Sheila E, The Crusaders, amidst many others.

In this long-form, vulnerable conversation, the 8 x Grammy Award winner shares humbling insights into the bigger picture behind playing music, his education on the job, the future of online education, and keeping the true fire of it all alive amidst the ever-changing landscape of the music industry.

Download my FREE 'Artist Mindmap'. A one-page mini-masterclass for independent musicians.

Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com

Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com

Benny Rietveld

Bassist/Composer/MD Santana Band

Bassist Benny Rietveld brings an impressive resume with him. After moving to Hawaii from his native Utrecht, the Netherlands, he attended the University of Hawaii College of Music for two years. Island dates with artists such as The Crusaders, Richie Cole, Barney Kessell, Howard Roberts, Bill Mays, and Makoto Ozone followed, until he moved to San Francisco in 1983. He joined up with Sheila E.’s 1984 tour, who was then opening for Prince on the “Purple Rain” tour. Dates with Huey Lewis and the News followed that. He then signed on with Miles Davis for his 1988 World Tour, as well as working with Davis and Michel LeGrand on a Warner Bros. soundtrack.

Recently, Benny has released an album entitled “Mystery of Faith”. The album can be described as “odd, eclectic, yet eminently listenable music.” The CD, his first solo effort, also includes performances by Carlos Santana, Tom Coster, Barbara Higbie and other friends. The mostly instrumental collection will take you from the Middle East to Middle Earth, with various stops in between. To learn more about Benny Rietveld or to listen to excerpts from “Mystery of Faith”, visit him at bennyworld.com.

T.L. Mazumdar

Musician/Educator, Founder: Holistic Musician Academy

Indian-German Producer/Singer-Songwriter T.L. Mazumdar grew up on 3 continents and 4 countries.

Mentored by a series of iconic musicians like Kenny Werner, Kai Eckhardt, Dr John Matthias, and the late Gary Barone, his artistic journey has aptly been described by Rolling Stone magazine as one that ‘...personifies multiculturalism’.

Time Out Mumbai has referred to him as ‘’...amongst a handful of Indian (origin) musicians who don't have to play sitars or tablas''

He has been nominated for German Music awards
Bremer Jazzpreis and Future Sounds Jazz Award, and been called ''...a major talent'' by Jack Douglas (Producer: John Lennon, Miles Davis, etc.). .