This tight five-man band features some of the most in-demand studio musicians in New York City, including sax wizard Aaron Heick (who has played with Paul Simon, Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin, Donald Fagen, Frank Sinatra, the Manhattan Transfer, Anita Baker, Grover Washington Jr., Suzanne Vega, Steps Ahead, and many other notable artists), master guitarist Jon Herington (who has recently recorded and toured with Steely Dan, and has worked with Bill Evans, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Boz Scaggs, and Bette Midler), renowned bassist Jeff Allen (a Juilliard graduate who has played and recorded with Duncan Sheik, Enrique Iglesias, Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, and Chantal Kreviazuk) and versatile drummer and percussionist Joe Bonadio (Chris Botti, Shawn Colvin, Jerry Marotta).

Joe Rubenstein, composer of these sophisticated jazz tunes, is committed to tight song structures as well as the art of passionate improvisation. His background includes a Doctorate from Yale University’s School of Music and a steady presence on the New York jazz, pop, and classical scenes. Rubenstein’s composing skills have been described as “…skating along the thin edge between classic and contemporary, incorporating strong jazz and blues elements.” (Troy Record) A native of the New York area and a Manhattan resident, his résumé includes film and TV scores, appearances in a variety of New York City jazz venues, and musical direction of an Obie Award-winning musical. He studied jazz piano with esteemed recording artist and Keyboard Magazine columnist Harold Danko. His recent interview on XM Radio explores influences on his music (Steely Dan, Pat Metheny, Bruce Hornsby) and personal accounts of recording and performing with Pleasure Principle.

The music of Pleasure Principle is varied in its combination of influences. Brazilian bossa nova merges seductively with urban funk. Mellow acoustic guitars support wailing electric guitar solos. Other songs have rich, lush saxophone harmonies and orchestrations that create a shimmering film noir sensibility. While remaining original and authentic, the music of Pleasure Principle is perfect for the smooth jazz market, as well as for fans of straight-ahead jazz, contemporary jazz, and rock.