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"Bobby Benson, the best arranger in the business...."
Ann Gerber - Chicago Skyline, 9/20/84
Click here to see a 5 minute video of
the RBO
ballroom orchestra
performing in various Chicago venues.
The Robert Benson Orchestra is a swing orchestra, as distinguished from
a big band. Like a big band, this orchestra always swings, with the 6
man brass and woodwind sections ensuring a full "big band" sound
when necessary. But it's the violin section that enables this orchestra
to express itself in a much greater dynamic and sonic variety than that
which a big band is capable of. The orchestra can be either 10 or 12
musicians in its normal configuration.
Mr. Benson's musical arrangements are intricately constructed, and are
always interesting, vital and swinging. The emphasis is placed on a
heavily syncopated feel which makes you actually want to get up and
dance, even if you've never danced before! Whether you're a novice or a
professional dancer - neophyte or master of ballroom styles - you're
always welcome on the
dance floor, and you'll be guaranteed to have fun!
All of the classic American songwriters are represented, including Irving
Berlin, Cole Porter, Glenn Miller, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Duke
Ellington, plus a few contemporary songwriters. This orchestra also can play
big-time West Coast Swing, Sinatra "Rat Pack" type tunes, and some very cool 60's
"beat
generation" numbers. There's always a tremendous variety of music in one
evening, played by Chicago's finest and hottest musicians. And there
will always be a wonderful vocalist on hand, male or female - sometimes
both!
"This was the best orchestra I've ever danced to."
David Elkin, International Ballroom Dance Champion, 1993
The Robert Benson Orchestra is unlike any orchestra in the United
States, and it's an integral part of the new generation ballroom dance
orchestra movement that's currently sweeping the nation. You'll know and
appreciate the difference!
To hear sound and video
clips of the Robert Benson Orchestra, please click on link #5, "Music
Clips" (above, left).
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Robert Benson (left, at piano), conducting the Caesars
Palace Orchestra playing the Robert Benson Orchestra musical
arrangements,
in the Circus Maximus Showroom, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
Note dancers in the foreground. This event had 800+ attendees!
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The orchestra was created in late 1993 by
arranger-conductor Robert Benson, as a special project for the venerable Willow-Brook Ballroom, in Willow Springs, Illinois. Since its inception,
the orchestra has had many Saturday night performances at the
Willow-Brook, always to large and enthusiastic crowds, and has performed
in country clubs, at private parties, and in such diverse venues as the
RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco
and the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
The orchestra has also had public
ballroom events in the Guildhall Ballroom of
the Ambassador West Hotel for three years, and public events also have
been held at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel, the Westin
Hotel, Navy Pier, the Drake
Hotel, and the Congress Plaza Hotel, Chicago. The orchestra was chosen
to be featured at the 75th and 80th anniversaries of the Willow-Brook
Ballroom.
The RBO has played for private and
corporate functions in Chicago at the Drake, the Ritz-Carlton, the Four
Seasons, the Palmer House Hilton, and many others.
Rates:
A three hour (three 45 minute sets) booking of the 12 musician
Robert Benson Orchestra, completely self-contained, with sound man,
vocalist and lights is realistically priced at $4800.00.
Please call Robert
Benson at 773-857-7891
with any questions you may have.
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