David Benoit explores all the musical possibilities

Pianist David Benoit hasn’t been avoiding the studio, even though it has been four years since his last release.

“Some get the idea that I don’t like to make the records, but I have six projects I want to do right now,” said Benoit, who will perform Sunday at Thornton Winery as part of the 2010 Champagne Jazz Concert Series. “It’s just the label. I could put one out ever nine months but they always want me to wait.”

That seems puzzling consider the tremendous success that has followed Benoit with virtually every album. He has been nominated for numerous Grammy awards, been successfully recording for decades, has done numerous projects involving Peanuts cartoons, has been a conductor of the Asia America Symphony Orchestra, and scored films, as well as placed his records in the upper echelon of the Billboard charts.

In April, Benoit released “Earthglow” to rave reviews.

“For me, ‘Earthglow’ was a fun record because all the stuff I wanted to do, I was able to,” he said. “It’s receiving some airplay and some sales, nothing huge, but steady. The reviews have been good.”

Of course, times have changed in the music business.

“All of us are relying on our fan base because they are the ones that come to the show and want a memento and want the latest thing we are doing,” he said. “I wasn’t shooting for airplay because who is going to play it? The Wave stopped adding instrumental music. I have a lot of ideas, but they don’t conform to a radio format, so who is going to play them?”

Of course, a lot of people don’t think jazz and immediately picture lead piano.

“I have a funny story that kind of echoes that sentiment,” he said. “An influential person at a jazz magazine was introduced to me. I joked with her that I’d like to be on the cover and she responded with ‘I hate piano players.’ Then a couple weeks ago I got a call and they wanted to put me on the cover.”

He’s used to it.

“This has gone on for years,” he said. “Smooth jazz is a cousin of R&B and pop, while straight ahead jazz is classical. I didn’t grow up as a jazz artist, so maybe that’s why I’m not a perfectly situated jazz artist.”

Indeed, the Benoit early days were about the great cool sounds of the ‘60s.

“I played in bands where we’d do songs like ‘Sittin’ on Dock of the Bay,’ ‘Green Onions,’ and ‘Light My Fire,’ he said. “Everyone played the guitar, drums or bass so it was great because I worked a lot. It’s been like that most of my career.”

However, the dearth of piano players does not mean that all places covet a true piano.

“Now with all the jazz festivals they are getting grumpier about grand piano,” he said. “I play keyboards sometimes during my show, but I definitely prefer a real piano.”

And he is adamant about the quality.

“It needs to be a good piano,” he said. “Acoustic piano is not an instrument that is very popular, especially in smooth jazz. I have my own sound and that’s what people keep coming to hear.”

He has even thought of making a solo piano record.

“I’ve done some classical piano etudes [Etudes for the Contemporary Pianist],” he said. “I hosted a party and legendary pianist Mike Lang sat down and played the piano. He played with so much passion. It really moved me, made me think of doing more down the road.”

Could a classical performance be in the works?

“I’d like to do that some time,” he said. “Of course, that’s going to take some time for my fans to relate to. I think in the right setting it could really work.”

Of course, going on stage is the mainstay for any performer, and Benoit is quick to point out the intricacies of performing.

“Fans will hear the melodic element, so I do feel I can experiment on stage,” he said. “They come to hear the hits, but they also expect to hear new things. They expect to hear something different. So the trick is to find that balance.”

And what about classical?

“At some point I will, but I’m not sure when I will do that,” he said. “The shows are a party atmosphere.”

For the man who has performed countless soundtracks for Peanuts projects, it must be pointed out that Schroeder played a lot of Beethoven and that has worked just fine.

“That is true,” he laughed.

Then again, he has a whole new album to play songs from that there just may not be enough time.

“The first part of the show is going to be from ‘Earthglow,’” he said.

The album is a mix of numerous styles, but all with a Benoit flair.

There’s the ethnic percussion of “Botswana Bossa Nova,” the contemporary chill sound of “Will’s Chill,” and the funky “Unbelievable.”

There’s also a team of guest stars that most people would recognize, including trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Jeff Kishawa.

“The mainstay is touring and I am very grateful that I’ve been able to tour all over the world,” he said.

That means he has to be prepared.

“On occasion I’ve brought my own fake books so I can try to play audience requests, but sometimes they get a bit obscure,” he said. “I’ve had to tell the audience to make sure it’s something that I’ve recorded.”

Part of it is he doesn’t want to overwork his band.

“Frank Zappa’s band used to have to know every single song he’d ever recorded,” he said. “And George Benson doesn’t do a set list. I like the structure of a set list so that the band doesn’t have to know everything.”

The last part of the show is the hits.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a pretty long career and a lot of songs that people enjoy,” he said. “It’s all about making music that you like and hopefully the fans like them too.”