Chilean pianist, composer and singer Benjamin Furman released this debut album "Desde el jardín" in 2014, at the age of 22, during a break from his musical studies in Berklee College of Music. The album was recorded with some of the best musicians of the chilean jazz scene.
The album was recorded in the living room of his house in Santiago, Chile. Despite not getting the full professionalism of a studio sound, Benjamin decided to record there for a much deeper reason than sound itself: with this album he means to look back into his own upbringing and roots. Both of which were transmitted to him right there in that very house since he was born, while he played that very same Blüthner grand piano which we hear in the recording.
"Desde el jardín" is a fusion of four elements: Jazz, South American folklore (mainly Perú and Argentina), Middle-Eastern/Klezmer music, and Pop. These genres represent the elements of his own identity, being a young jew immersed in chilean (south american) and american youths.
While looking back to these traditional elements, the album at the same time achieves a freshness and uniqueness of style, making it a new, rare and beautiful musical statement. The symbolism of having a debut album about the "past" can only mean that the artist's musical quest is just beginning, and is rooted firmly in tradition.
In the interior of the physical album, Benjamin wrote the following words (originally in spanish):
"Thanks from the heart to All who, in word or in silence, in presence or in memory, have made my life possible and have shaped it with their colors. Each and every melody cannot be but consequence and and testimony of your love. Some sing today, many sang yesterday. This album talks about all of you."