Born in Puerto Rico, bassist John Benitez began playing gospel music in church at age 13. He attended Escuela Libre de Musica, the University of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music. Soon he was performing with musicians such as Chick Corea, Batacumbele and Cuco Pena. He toured Colombia, playing with top musicians there before moving to New York City in 1993, where he attended the City College of New York, and studied with Ron Carter and Anthony Jackson. In 1997 he recorded Habana with Roy Hargrove, earning a Grammy for Best Latin Performance. In 2001 he released his first album as leader, Descarga in New York. A prolific composer, arranger and producer, he's also the man Eddie Palmieri dubbed "the greatest bass player in the world".