B I O G R A P H Y
Charles Blenzig is a pianist, composer, arranger, and percussionist who slips effortlessly among musical styles while retaining his own distinct sound. Born in the Bronx, raised in Pelham, and now residing in Queens, he has been a part of the New York City jazz scene for over 25 years. Blenzig is currently working with a number of musicians including the Italian rap star Lorenzo Cherubini (aka Jovanatti) and Solaluna NY Lab, singer/songer writer Michael Franks, and the multicultural conceptual band Asian*ergy based in Seoul, Korea.
Blenzig's affiliation with Jovanatti began two summers ago with the creation of Soleluna NY Lab - an experimental group that performed in intimate settings around the US and Canada. Their 2010 tour culminated in Jovanatti & Soleluna's appearance at New York City's Summer Stage in Central Park.
Since 1990 has has been the musical director and keyboardist for Michael Franks. Working with the Michael Franks group has led to performances and television appearances throughout the world including Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Africa, Europe, and Russia. Most recently, Blenzig produced and arranged Michael’s recording Watching the Snow as well as co-authored two title tracks to Michael’s CD entitled Barefoot on the Beach and Rendezous in Rio.
Blenzig has been a guest artist on over 100 recordings and has four CDs as a leader. His first is a self-titled debut featuring Will Lee and Mike Stern, the second, Say What You Mean, was produced by Will Lee and joined by Michael Brecker, Dennis Chambers and Manolo Badrena. The third is a piano trio recording entitled Certain Standards with Kenny Davis and Gene Jackson. And the latest release, It’s About Time for Double Time Records, features Tim Hagens, Greg Tarty, Marcus Strickland, Sean Conly, and Billy Kilson.Through the years Blenzig has performed regularly with several groups including Bill Evans and Kenwood Denard. Both stints led to recordings: Bill Evans and Push Live in Europe and Kenwood’s Just Advance which featured bass virtuoso Marcus Miller. Blenzig has also worked with Larry Coryell, Michael Urbaniak, Michael Brecker, Gato Barbieri, Joe Beck, the Mingus Big Band, Joe Locke, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, Toninio Horta, Grady Tate, Buster Williams, Roy Ayers and John Patituchi.
Two high visibility gigs in Blenzig's early career were as a member of the Gil Evans Orchestra where he was fortunate to play weekly engagements with such musicians as George Adams, Hiram Bullock, Mark Eagan, Gil Goldstein and Lou Soloff. Blenzig also hosted The Late Night Session at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Manhattan. The Last Night Session was a steady gig for five years which made him a recognizable face in the jazz community as well as introducing him to scores of both seasoned and up and coming musicians from around the globe.
Along with touring, recording, and producing, Belnzig is also a teacher currently on faculty at the S.U.N.Y. Purchase Conservatory of Music located in Westchester County, New York. The Jazz Department, headed by Todd Coolman, boasts one of the finest faculties in the New York City area including John Faddis, Steve Wilson, John Abercrombie, Hal Galper and Doug Weiss.