Adagio 345 is a consummate group of professional musicians with years of high profile playing experience to their credit. Whether performing as a trio, quartet or quintet, Adagio345 provides their audiences with a wide range of musical styles. Their repertoire ranges from popular standards to spirited swing, romantic ballads and sultry blues to bossa nova, and easy listening to Dixieland jazz.
Bob Benanti, the group’s leader, well understands and takes seriously his responsibility to help make your affair a happy and memorable one. Adagio345’s high standard of musical excellence, coupled with its professional attitude and appearance, will help ensure the success of your special event!
Meet the 5
Robert (Bob) Benanti, Leader and Piano
Bob’s life as a performing musician started in public schools, proceeded into college and has continued through the present. Teaching instrumental music at the elementary and middle school levels was a rewarding vocation for Bob, however, performing music has always been the most enjoyable aspect of being a musician for him. In addition to performing on the piano, Bob also is an accomplished trumpet player, having graduated from S.U.N.Y. at Fredonia, NY. Bob also served as an Elementary School Principal for 10 years in Long Island, NY. Now, semi-retired, Bob greatly enjoys performing regularly at many of Greenville’s finest hotels and commercial businesses, including BMW, the Westin Poinsett Hotel and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Joey Lee, Trombone
Joey Lee, a native of Clinton, South Carolina, fell in love with the trombone in middle school and has had a passion for playing the horn ever since. He graduated from Furman University with a major in music and has played in a wide variety of venues over the past 40 years. He is bass trombonist in Anderson’s GAMAC Symphony in addition to being a member of Southern Fried Jazz, the Emerald City Brass Quintet, the Palmetto Posaunen, the Electric City Swing Band, and DeJa Nue.
Robert Nance, Bass
Robert has played both upright and electric bass professionally for over 35 years. He has toured much of the United States as well as parts of Canada and Europe. For a number of years he sailed the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera as a bassist and orchestra leader for a major cruise line.
Robert has covered styles ranging from big band to rock, classical to Broadway, Latin to old time mountain music and everything in between.
Anthony (Tony) Christopher, Percussion
Tony is one of South Carolina’s most gifted and talented percussionists. He performs regularly in many musical settings ranging from jazz bands, big bands, classical percussion ensembles to entertainment orchestras, fusion, rock and rhythm blues groups. Tony’s versatility as an all-around performer makes him a highly sought after musician in the greater Greenville, SC area. In addition to performing, Tony also teaches privately at both the local and University levels (University of South Carolina).
Becky Blackwell
Becky studied classical and commercial voice at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee before hitting the road as a background singer with various Country and Contemporary Christian recording artists, touring the continental U.S., Canada, and Australia, and providing vocals for demo and master recording projects. After 25 years in Nashville, Becky, her husband, Tom, and her two sons relocated to Greenville, SC. She has experience covering many vocal styles– from jazz, R&B/Gospel, and country, to pop, opera and musical theater.
Erica Berg
Erica has been singing at numerous restaurants, weddings and clubs since October 2010 in the greater Greenville, SC area. In addition to her exceptionally fine voice, she has also performed over the years as a consummate saxophonist, having played in both bands and orchestras at the public school and college levels. Erica has earned a reputation for musical excellence and kindness within Greenville’s musical scene. She is an honor graduate of Erskine college and has taught Spanish at the high school level for six years.