Gil "bop" Benson at B. Tillman

Gil “Bop” Benson is a New Jersey native, now residing in Ridgeland, SC after a long career as a jazz trumpeter, vocalist and educator.

While a student at Howard University, he gigged in the D.C. area, often with the tenor saxophonist Harold Vick. Back in New Jersey, he worked throughout the New York/New Jersey area.

Concentrating now only on his vocals, Gil continues in the tradition of some of the great jazz singers of the past: Louis Armstrong, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman, adding his own unique bebop-influenced scat-singing style to the mix....

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Gil “Bop” Benson is a New Jersey native, now residing in Ridgeland, SC after a long career as a jazz trumpeter, vocalist and educator.

While a student at Howard University, he gigged in the D.C. area, often with the tenor saxophonist Harold Vick. Back in New Jersey, he worked throughout the New York/New Jersey area.

Concentrating now only on his vocals, Gil continues in the tradition of some of the great jazz singers of the past: Louis Armstrong, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman, adding his own unique bebop-influenced scat-singing style to the mix.

Accompanying Gil will be the trio of long-time jazz pianist and Hilton Head resident Norm Gagne, including Mitch Hennes (bass) and Billy Hoffman (drums).

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