The New Era

2021-

Emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic, Andy reformed Benja into the band many know and love today. The current lineup features Jeremiah “Jay” Sweeney on keyboards, Steve “Triple” Stutzke on bass, and Cheese of Pherkad on drums. Benja’s first performance in the new era took place at Cactus Jacks on July 10th, 2021.

Since the reformation the band has proudly played countless birthday parties, house parties, celebrations of life, fundraisers, and good-old-fashioned bar gigs across Tuscon, Phoenix, and Flagstaff.

in 2023, Benja opened two consecutive nights for Groovesession at Flagstaff’s Yucca North (formerly known as The Green Room), and Last Exit Live in Phoenix.

Benja headlined at Last Exit later that year.

What’s In A Name?

2017-2020

Benja began as a musical partnership between Andy Gonzalez and Tyler Cano in Spring 2017. Around this time, Andy and Tyler were studying tuba and music education at Arizona State University and had been playing music together for many years by this time.

When it was decided Andy and Tyler would seriously pursue a new project, it was important that the name represented something that connects them to each other. Andy looked to their shared passion for music learning and teaching and the pair found inspiration from educational philosopher Benjamin Bloom. Tyler designed the first logo.

Benja’s first show was in Downtown Mesa, AZ November 12, 2017 with Jeremy Reynoso on drums. The classic lineup for the band was completed when Ben Murphy joined the band on keyboards at their gig at Yucca Taproom on May 17th, 2018. This lineup would share their last performance together at Cactus Jacks in Phoenix, AZ on March 13th, 2020.