Guitarist Carlos Santana and bass player Benny Rietveld | Photo © Manny Pappanicholas
Earlier this year, Benny Rietveld entertained the crowd as a member of Santana’s iconic band during a sold-out concert at Honolulu’s Blaisdell Arena. But this time the bass player is back in town to perform with his own group Saturday night at the Doris Duke Theatre.
Billed as An Evening with Benny Rietveld and Friends, he says you can expect a bit of “jazz-funk-rock-cabaret madness.”
Often on the road with Santana most of the year, Rietveld says he’s looking forward to reconnecting with his roots and giving back to the place he calls his “spiritual home.”
Born in the Netherlands and raised in Hawaii, Rietveld credits two musical mentors for inspiring him early on: his McKinley High School band teacher Henry Miyamura and the legendary saxophonist Gabe Baltazar.
I have fond memories of first hearing Rietveld playing jazz as a member of Gabe Baltazar’s Group at the Cavalier in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. It was a great time for live music in Hawaii back in those days.
After moving to the Mainland in the 80’s, Rietveld went on to work with Sheila E, Miles Davis and Carlos Santana. And he’s picked up eight Grammies along the way. Not bad for a local boy who grew up in Kaimuki.
Bass player Benny Rietveld
Looking back, Rietveld recalls how exciting it was to join Miles Davis’ band in 1988. “I relearned everything I knew about music. It was like a musical dojo. He (Davis) was the Monk. Sensei (teacher.) We were the students. Rietveld says Davis taught him “how to be in the moment.”
“When you come up as a musician, you’re taught to think about everything too much–what scale, chord, lick you’re going to play,” Rietveld explains. Instead, the bass player went through a process of unlearning that during during his two years with Davis. “Listen to everything all the time,” he adds.
Since joining Santana in the 90s, Rietveld has also become the band’s musical director. And he remains passionate about how his musical journey has turned out so far. “It makes me happy. I know I’m doing something good for the world. Because if you are true to yourself you’re being good for the world as well.”
Now in his 50’s, Rietveld will also be sharing a few tips he’s learned along the way when he teaches a Rhythm Section Master Class with his musical buddy, Noel Okimoto, and Zach Shimizu. It’s open to everyone at 10 in the morning on the same day as the concert.
Don’t miss An Evening with Benny Rietveld and Friends, Saturday, August 31, 7:30pm at the Doris Duke Theatre.
Rietveld will be performing with Noel Okimoto, on drums and vibraphone; John R. Burr on keyboards; DeShannon Higa on trumpet; Reggie Padilla on saxes, flute; and special guest, Marti Nica.
You’re in for some fun.
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