MIGHTY Real presents JELLYBEAN BENITEZ (NYC | JELLYBEAN SOUL) April 30, 2011

$10 ADVANCE TICKETS at:
http://jellybean.eventbrite.com/

On Saturday, April 30th, 2011, David Harness and Mighty proudly present Mighty Real, another evening of soulful, deep house music with two masters of the genre: DJs John “Jellybean” Benitez (NYC | Jellybean Soul) and David Harness (SF | Harlum Musiq). Mighty Real is a semi-monthly event bringing San Francisco some of the biggest names that define house music. Mighty Real ...is also a production event with theatrical flourishes and other surprises. The last show, featuring Frankie Knuckles, was a runaway hit with a beautiful, mixed crowd of music lovers. All of this is showcased at Mighty, one of the most inviting and unique music venues in San Francisco. Doors open at 10pm and discount pre-sale tickets are available through Eventbrite.com

Despite the fact that they are often the single-most important force behind the success of a hit record, it isn't often that producers come out of the control room to share in the public spotlight with musicians and vocalists. In this respect, Jellybean Benitez joins the ranks of such notable producers as Phil Spector, Alan Parsons, Quincy Jones, George Martin, and a handful of others who have come to symbolize the certain style and feel of a musical genre. In fact, Benitez's name carries such a recognition factor in the pop and dance music realms that it is often displayed as prominently on the record cover as that of the artist. Occasionally his is the only name appearing on the product, as in the case of the four "solo" albums he has released since 1984.

Jellybean learned early on that he had a gift for both music and self-promotion. He began playing records in his early teens at parties for friends and before long had maneuvered his way via a combination of talent and style into the position of disc jockey at New York's most popular and exclusive nightclubs, including the Funhouse, Xenon, and Studio 54.

By the mid 70's, Benitez had earned a spectacular reputation as a DJ and was beginning to make his way into recording and producing. He first captured the public eye when he became pop superstar Madonna's producer/boyfriend in the early 1980s, functioning as the behind-the-scenes architect of some of her biggest hits, including "Holiday" and "Crazy for You."

Benitez went on to produce Whitney Houston's Top ten hit "Love Will Save the Day" from her sophomore album Whitney, and eventually remixed songs for such artists as Hall & Oates, George Benson, Shalamar, Jocelyn Brown, Patti Austin, Bobby O, Sheena Easton, Talking Heads, James Ingram, Billy Joel, The Pointer Sisters, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.

On September 19, 2005, Benitez was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievements as a DJ and producer.

David Harness is one of the most popular DJ/producers in the San Francisco Bay Area club scene. He has been described as ‘a man who lives, breathes and emanates everything that is beautiful about deep house music and classic garage.’ David is considered a ‘rising star’ within the dance community. To date, David has worked on projects featuring artists such as Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Simply Red, Alicia Keys, Floetry, Donnie McClurkin, India Arie, *NSYNC and Donnell Jones. A collaborative effort with DJ/producers Chris Lum of Abitare Music, Jay J of Moulton Studios, and Charles Spencer of LoveSlap has resulted in several independent releases. David has appeared in articles and interviews in Billboard Magazine, Paper Magazine, Surface, XLR8R, Streetsounds, Sweater, HX, Next, URB, DJ Mag and the SF Bay Guardian. David Harness’ passion, talent and creativity has definitely created a new page in the history of house music.