Sergeant First Class Geoff Vidal plays tenor and baritone saxophones in the Benny Havens Band. Before joining the Army, he graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and freelanced in New York City for almost ten years as a highly sought-after woodwind specialist. Sgt. 1st Class Vidal's experience playing many different genres of music — everything from jazz and salsa to dixieland and rock and roll — has provided him with the perfect foundation to be a member of the Benny Havens Band.
Sgt. 1st Class Vidal has been a member of the West Point Band since July 2013. He is currently the Benny Havens Band’s Operations NCOIC and an assistant arranger. In addition to his duties in the West Point Band, he is also the NCOIC of the Cadet Jazz Forum and has curated a Black History Month celebration concert forthe past several years featuring guest artists Wynton Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Ralph Peterson and Etienne Charles.
Drawing on his experience as a booking manager for a very well-known jazz club in New York City, Sgt. 1st Class Vidal deals with the day-to-day logistics of preparing the Benny Havens Band for its performances. When he's not practicing his horn or hitting the gym, Sgt. 1st Class Vidal keeps busy running after his two children while trying to give his amazing wife a well-deserved break at home.
