Presenting singularly expressive jazz, embellished with slight electronic augmentation and drum programming, The Benny Lackner Quartet is anything but typical. Functioning as a collective, with each member interjecting equally toward the construction of their material, the quartet’s music is unfailingly intricate and multifaceted. While their unique compositions and renditions of jazz standards are remarkably sophisticated and challenging, it is in their unconventional interpretation of contemporary pop hits—by such diverse artists as Prince, Bjork and Jimi Hendrix—that The Benny Lackner Quartet reveals its virtuosity. Through abstraction these songs become new, untainted works of art, made complete through a marriage of musical traditions, which shake the dust from jazz and bring it into the light, revitalized and emancipated.

The Benny Lackner Quartet is currently featuring Jeff Alkire - sax, Andrew Emer – bass, Tony Austin – drums.  Their sound is a direct result of the influence of the quartets of Keith Jarrett, Ahmad Jamal, Brad Mehldau, Bill Evans. Comparisons have been drawn to the BadPlus, Jason Moran and E.S.T. as well. The first album “Not the Same” released to critical acclaim in 2004 “Where the Bad- Plus goes for the jugular on it’s recordings, the Lacknerites keep it understated, a rarity for any jazz album.” – JazzTimes …The quartet followed up with, “Sign of the Times” in 2006, “Sign of the Times proves itself a wonderfully realized work of art, every tune a highlight, they give the piano quartet a much-needed facelift.” – All About Jazz. In 2006 the quartet took the next step in its’ evolution, once again taking to the studio to self-produce its third and most original album yet, “Pilgrim”. Benny Lackner attributes the success of the quartets many tours and critically acclaimed records to the fact that theirs is a true band approach. “We operate as a collective, every member has equal input in terms of musical ideas that help develop the style and sound of the group.” The other key ingredient to this band sound is the careful selection of material. On record and in concert one will hear the band play everything from sharp and stylish original pieces, to inventive covers of popular songs by artists such as Bjork, Jimmy Hendrix, Prince, Nick Drake, Nena, Blonde Redhead, Feist, as well as insightful arrangements of the music of Mingus, Monk, and Gershwin. Their sonic embellishments on the sound of the acoustic piano quartet gives the overall sound a subtle yet modern, ambient feel.
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Currently the band finds the quartet taking the next step in its’ evolution, once again taking to the studio to self-produce its third and most original album yet. Benny Lackner attributes the success of the quartets many tours and critically acclaimed records to the fact that theirs is a true band approach. “We operate as a collective, every member has equal input in terms of musical ideas that help develop the style and sound of the group.” The other key ingredient to this band sound is the careful selection of material. On record and in concert one will hear the band play everything from sharp and stylish original pieces, to inventive covers of popular songs by artists such as Bjork, Jimmy Hendrix, Prince, Nick Drake, Nena Feist, as well as insightful arrangements of the music of Mingus, Monk, and Gerschwin. Their sonic embellishments on the sound of the acoustic piano quartet (slight electronic enhancements by Lackner and some drum programming by Perkins) give the overall sound a subtle yet modern, ambient feel.