Alto saxophonist Benny Reid is a forwardthinking jazz musician with bent toward mixing expansive postbop improvisation with atmospheric contemporary jazz composition.

Born in Westfield, New Jersey in 1980, Reid was encouraged to listen to jazz from a young age. His jazz aficionado parents introduced Reid to the music of such iconic artists as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and others.

Taking up the saxophone in the second grade, Reid played all through high school and eventually studied music at Indiana University where he graduated in 2002.

Accompanied by a stellar crew including Pat Metheny drummer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Reuben Rogers, pianist Aaron Goldberg, guitarist Richard Padron, vocalist Jeff Taylor and percussionist Ryan Fitch, Benny reveals a big heart and a bold vision on his impressive first outing. And by eschewing the head-solo-solo-head formula of standard jazz repertoire for a more through-composed approach, Reid stakes out some adventurous new territory on Findings.

Reid released his solo debut Findings on Concord this month.

So, if you would like to win one of these wonderful new AUTOGRAPHED CDs, and you seriously think you know all there is to know about Benny Reid's music, just answer this simple question: At which University did Reid fall under the tutelage of jazz educators David Baker and Tom Walsh?!

Send us your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these wonderful new AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before April 15th with your answer and the subject title CONTEST: BENNY REID CD to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net