Press release: Benny Benack III

For immediate release
August 6, 2026

Carpenter Center’s Cabaret Stage Hosts Young Jazz Stars
With Performances by Lucía and Benny Benack III, May 5–7

LONG BEACH, Calif — The Richard & Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of California State University, Long Beach, brings jazz to its Cabaret Stage with performances by Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition winner Lucía on Tuesday, May 5, at 8 p.m., followed by The Magic of Manhattan starring Benny Benack III on Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7 p.m. The Cabaret Series is the Carpenter Center’s most intimate performance experience, with table seating on the stage less than 40 feet from the artist.

Performing at the Carpenter Center’s final Spotlight Session this season is vocalist Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso. The Mexican artist brings a sound shaped by both jazz and the musical traditions of her native Veracruz. She moves between English and Spanish, blending jazz standards with Latin repertoire. In this evening with her quartet, Lucía honors her cultural roots while also bringing her luminous voice to new interpretations of jazz favorites, including “What a Difference a Day Makes” and “Blame It On My Youth.” Her recent self-titled debut album was produced by Grammy Award winner Matt Pierson and featured musicians including pianist Edward Simon, bassist Larry Grenadier, drummer Antonio Sánchez, and saxophonist David Sánchez.

The following night, Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, the Carpenter Center’s Cabaret Stage welcomes back Emmy-nominated trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III in The Magic of Manhattan, the final show in both the Center’s Cabaret Series and the Center’s 2025-2026 Season. Benny Benack celebrates the music of New York City, including Billy Joel's “New York State of Mind,” Blossom Dearie's ode to “Manhattan,” and Frank Sinatra’s anthem “New York, New York.” Recognized by DownBeat as the 2024 #1 Rising Star Male Jazz Vocalist, Benack is a double threat as a trumpeter and vocalist, combining technical chops with showmanship.

Event Details

Lucía
When: Tuesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. / Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Venue: The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center at 6200 E. Atherton St. Long Beach, CA 90815
Tickets: $48.75, available at carpenterarts.org.

The Magic of Manhattan Starring Benny Benack III
When: Wed/Thu, May 6-7 at 7 p.m. / Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Venue: The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center at 6200 E. Atherton St. Long Beach, CA 90815
Tickets: $48.75, available at carpenterarts.org.

Refreshments can be purchased and enjoyed in the Center’s lobby. Additional ticketing information is available at carpenterarts.org/ticket-office. Press photos are available at carpenterarts.org/press.

Attendance and Parking Information
We advise patrons to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page at www.carpenterarts.org/faqs before any performance for the most up-to-date attendance information.
Convenient parking is available directly in front of the Carpenter Center in lot G12. All parking lots on campus, including lot G12, are operated by CSULB’s Parking and Transportation Services, which sets all parking fees. The Carpenter Center does not earn any portion of the collected fees. Parking fees this season remain at $10 after 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and $10 all day on weekends. Additional parking information is available at www.carpenterarts.org/parking. 

About the Carpenter Center
The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Its 1,054-seat theatre gracefully accommodates large and small productions, including a season of performances showcasing emerging and established musicians, dancers, actors, speakers, comedians, and visual artists, as well as other artistic, educational, and cultural experiences that enrich lives, promote lifelong learning in and through the performing arts, and serve as a gateway between the university and the greater community.