Reginald Bennett, Jr., bass-baritone

Reginald Bennett, Jr. is a bass-baritone and poet of unique artistic  distinction.  Born in Queens, NY, he was raised 90 miles north in Beacon where he began singing at the age of four in his church choir.  Through his parents he was exposed to a variety of music genres at an early age.  This has had a direct influence on his diverse artistic output which yields to the contrasting disciplines of classical and hip hop music.  Mr. Bennett has a growing list of performance credits to his name, including “A Tribute to Paul Robeson” at New York University where he shared the stage with Amiri Baraka, Ben Vereen and Malik Yoba. 

National Anthem performances include The Staples Center (Los Angeles), and Dutchess Stadium (NY).  Opera experience includes Marullo in Rigoletto, Porgy and Bess, The Marriage of Figaro, Cendrillon, Signor Deluso, Four Saints in Three Acts, Alice in Wonderland, Viva la Mamma, Lady Bathory to name a few. In 1996, he traveled and performed as featured soloist in Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Germany with the American Music Abroad Program.  It was this experience that led to his devoting his life to expressing himself through song.  Mr. Bennett graduated from The Boston Conservatory where he studied with Sheila Fiumarello and Robert Honeysucker. 

 In 2002, he appeared in a WGBH TV Arts Boston program as an ensemble member of The Construction of Boston. With the Cantata Singers he also appeared at Boston’s Symphony Hall in the compelling performance of Slavery Documents and Slavery Documents 2. The same year he was a featured background vocalist on the Record/Heavy Rotation Records (Berklee School of Music) collaboration entitled Shekanih 13 Artists of the trip hip hop song “Into Me”. An active community member, he strongly believes in the empowerment of today’s youth, and has initiated mentor programs to manifest his vision.  

Mr. Bennett performs at historic St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in St. Augustine.