Jon Bentley Saxophonist
Jon Bentley is a Juno nominated jazz saxophonist based in Vancouver, Canada with over 30 years of professional international experience and 30+ recordings as a leader and sideman. He has recorded and/or performed professionally in concerts with musicians/ groups such as Kenny Wheeler, Seamus Blake, Dave Douglas, Mark Helias, Brad Turner, Denzal Sinclaire, Eddie Daniels, Oliver Lake, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Phil Dwyer's Saxophone Summit, The Temptations, Peggy Lee Band and Metalwood. He has performed across Canada, England, and Europe and has been featured many times on CBC Radio with live and studio recordings for Tonic, The Signal, Jazzbeat, West Coast Performance, Hot Air, and Arts National.
Music Education
Jon Bentley received his Bachelor Degree in Saxophone Jazz Performance from Capilano University in Vancouver. Jon has studied the tenor saxophone extensively both in Vancouver and in New York with critically acclaimed saxophonist Seamus Blake. Bentley was also the recipient of a Canada Council grant that sent him to London, England to study composition and arranging with Canadian trumpeter/ composer icon Kenny Wheeler.
Press Quotes
"Elegant and bittersweet…. the original compositions accommodate fluttery abstraction as well as glowing consonance" - Nate Chinen (New York Times)
“Saxophonist Jon Bentley is one of Vancouver’s unsung musical talents, a gifted musician who never grandstands, but rather brings out the best in the musicians around him” - Marke Andrews (Vancouver Sun)
"Top drawer modern chamber jazz" - Ken Pickering (Artistic Director, Vancouver International Jazz Festival)
"Credit Bentley’s excellent production work and the genius of the respective players with the final, moving results. This is jazz for classical music heads, classical music for jazzbos and something to recommend to all" - Stuart Derdeyn (The Vancouver Sun)
“Perfect blend of homage and innovation” - Jonathan Widran (All Music Guide)
“Saxophonist Jon Bentley is one of Vancouver’s unsung musical talents, a gifted musician who never grandstands, but rather brings out the best in the musicians around him” - Marke Andrews (Vancouver Sun)
"Top drawer modern chamber jazz" - Ken Pickering (Artistic Director, Vancouver International Jazz Festival)
"Credit Bentley’s excellent production work and the genius of the respective players with the final, moving results. This is jazz for classical music heads, classical music for jazzbos and something to recommend to all" - Stuart Derdeyn (The Vancouver Sun)
“Perfect blend of homage and innovation” - Jonathan Widran (All Music Guide)