Ben LaTorraca Quintet plays at the Jazz Station in Eugene
Join LaTorraca and the boys for a night of classic tunes old and new stretching from New Orleans to 52nd Street.
- Ben LaTorraca piano
- Julian Borkowski trumpet
- Will Glausi alto/soprano saxophone
- Robert Lassila bass
- Kameron Tyler drums
An old soul in a young body, New Jersey born pianist Ben LaTorraca's hard swinging joyful sound draws deeply from his many heroes: Duke Ellington, Bobby Timmons, Erroll Garner, Jacki Byard, Wynton Kelly and Oscar Peterson. Beginning classical piano lessons at 5 , a copy of the LP “Louis Armstrong meets Duke Ellington” given to him for his 11th Birthday led him on his lifelong pursuit of jazz. Growing up adjacent to both New York and Philadelphia provided Benjamin with countless opportunities to hear live jazz weekly and to study with such greats as Clark terry Mulgrew Miller and Jim McNeely. He began playing professionally at 14 , performing with local big bands as well as with his own trio and quintet around the New Jersey/New York area. In 2016 Benjamin completed his MA in jazz studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene where he currently resides and continues to perform regularly as an in demand sideman and bandleader.
Will Glausi is a saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist from Portland, Oregon. He was awarded 1st place at the state saxophone competition all four years of high school and was a finalist in the North American saxophone conference in 2020. After having studied under Steve Owen, Idit Shner, and Keith Brown, he will earn his degree in jazz studies at the end of the Fall of 2023. He has also spent time performing in New York City, including being placed in Russell Hall’s band and performing with virtuosos Benny Benack, Sean Mason, Giveton Gelin, and his brother, Tony Glausi.
Julian Borkowski, native to Vancouver, British Columbia, is a second year grad student in The University of Oregon’s jazz program. After some off of trumpet playing, he is excited to be returning to The Jazz Station in full force!
