“Be professional.  Be on time.  Know your stuff.  Those are the kinds of things that keep me working.”
Is it so unusual for a 10 year old to decide his career in one brief moment?  Well, for most of the world, yes, but for Benjie Porecki, the moment he picked up his first instrument, he knew that he would be a musician.  There was no doubt in his mind, and no turning back for this youngster.

Growing up in Columbia, Maryland, which lies halfway between Washington, DC and Baltimore, Benjie grew up in a house with no other musicians.  “My Mom sings and can play some guitar, and my Dad pretty much just bought traditional jazz albums.  I sort of found jazz on my own.”   At the ripe age of ten, he picked up the trumpet.  The moment he put it to his lips, he amazed himself and those around him with his ability to play melodies.  Benjie was hooked.  But only being able to play notes on the trumpet was not enough to fill his musical desires.  “I realized that with other instruments, I could also play chords, so I started playing piano and organ.”   In addition to just having natural talent, Benjie is self-taught on all of his instruments, except for a stint in his school band.  He played everything by ear.

Benjie honed his craft by listening to a lot of the masters of jazz, artists like Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock.  But listening to all kinds of music is what makes him a desirable, and in demand, sideman.   “I feel very comfortable playing jazz, blues, funk, R&B, and even gospel.”  Having those abilities to switch between genres has kept this guy working with some of the top names in the music business, such as Pieces of a Dream, Maysa, Stevie Wonder, Kim Waters, Regina Belle, Chaka Khan, and Isaac Hayes. And up and comers have also been privileged to have Benjie accompany them.  At a recent concert with guitarist Matt Marshak, I spotted Benjie wailing away on the keys!

But being a side musician is not all that Benjie does.  He is also a solo artist with four solo CDs under his belt.  On his latest CD, How Does It Feel? he wrote, produced and performed all twelve original songs.  And while he is known as a keyboardist, Benjie is also known to be a killer Hammond B-3 player.

When not in the studio or on the road, Benjie has two interests that are high on his list:  playing/creating music or spending time with his almost four year old son, Connor.  “Connor is my pride and joy.  He is such a great kid, happy, lovable.”  This sounds like the praises all dads would rein on their children, but Connor faces a battle with autism.  Benjie and his wife have worked tirelessly to assist their son.  In fact, on February 7th, Benjie and many of his fellow musician friends will be playing at a fundraiser for Connor at Flanagan’s Harp & Fiddle in Bethesda, Maryland (www.flanagansharpandfiddle.com).  So, if you are in the area, please drop by and help a great cause.

So, keep your eyes open at any of the concerts you may attend, regardless of the genre.  You may be surprised, and amazed, at the guy behind the keyboards.  A guy who obviously made the best decision of his life at age ten.

For more information on Benjie Porecki, check out his website at www.benjieporecki.com