The triumphant return of one Eric Benny Bloom was everything people expected, and then some.

The former Bristol resident and Mt. Hope High School graduate brought his musical talent to town for everyone to enjoy recently as part of the recent Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series.

Eric, originally from Bristol, is the trumpet player for the Grammy-nominated funk band Lettuce. He recently relocated to Denver after living in New Orleans, where he also won a Grammy for playing with New Orleans piano legend, Jon Cleary. Throughout his professional career, Eric has toured North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He has appeared on many T.V. shows, including the Today Show, the David Letterman Show, and the Conan O’Brien Show. He has also performed with many notable artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Ziggy & Stephen Marley, Bootsy Collins, Solange, Kool & The Gang, Pretty Lights, Chance the Rapper, Dave Chapelle, Run DMC, Dave Matthews Band, Stephen & Ziggy Marley, GRIZ, Skrillex, and many more.

Benny’s bio only tells part of the story. This young man always seems to generate excitement no matter which town or city he appears in. Upon his return to his old hometown, Benny discussed his love of the Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series.

“I have been attending the Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series since I was a child,” he said. “I remember sitting in with John Allmark’s East Side Horns in high school, and that made me want to one day lead my own group at the Concert Series.”

He continued, “As a young man I took the beauty of Bristol for granted. However, through my travels as an adult I have come to realize how amazing and special Bristol truly is, and coming back to play the Concert Series is really brought my life full circle.”

Concert Series Committee co-chairpersons Patti Nenna and Tammy Mojkowski knew exactly what they were doing in luring this outstanding musician back to town.      

“The concert committee was very excited Eric was able to perform at the Concert Series,” said Nenna. “Once we knew he was going to be in town we touched base and was glad he agreed to play. If anyone was there that night it was like a class reunion. Friends, family, and classmates enjoyed his special talent and the extraordinary musicians he brought with him to play.”

Nenna added, “His sense of humor has not changed and his friends were spot on with the ‘Benny on a Stick.’  His down to earth personality and exceptional talent was enjoyed by all in attendance. Hopefully, he will be able to come back again and join us for the 4th of July Concert Series in the future.”

Benny admitted that it didn’t take him long to reacquaint himself with old friends.

“Getting the chance to play for so many of my friends and family and to reconnect with so many long-lost friends was an honor, to say the least,” he offered. “What I didn’t expect was to meet so many new people, young and old, that have been following my career and been supporting me throughout the years.”

He concluded, “The other unexpected bonus is that the older I get, I become more and more proud of my Portuguese & Jewish heritage. It is so beautiful that Bristol embraces its own peoples’ past and honors our traditions.”

Native Bristolian Gilda “Gigi” DeLeo wanted Benny to know that she never forget him after all these years.

She said in a Facebook comment, “Not sure you would remember, Eric, “but you played at my Retirement Party at the Venus de Milo when I retired from Mt. Hope High School in 1999, from the Guidance Office (Secretary).”

During his high school years at Mt. Hope, nobody was closer to Benny than good friend Andre Arsenault, son of the school’s Performing Arts chairman, Robert Arsenault.

“Eric and I were neighbors growing up and I started playing saxophone on the same day he started the trumpet,” Andre remembers. “From the time he picked it up he would rarely ever put it down. We played a lot together in high school but while I got into other instruments and activities, it was full speed ahead for Eric.  His love for music, his focus, his drive, and his personality, have been gotten him to where he is and I’m very proud of him.”

Bob Arsenault is also credited for helping pave the way for Benny’s extraordinary music career.

Playing the trumpet came naturally for Eric Bloom, but Mr. Arsenault was right there to add further incentive.

“My dad retired a few years back, but I know he had a big effect on Eric‘s early musical years, as did Jeff Brackett, who just retired this year,” said Andre.

“The trumpet is like a part of this guy’s body,” says Andre of Benny’s musical dominance. “When we were kids, he would practice on his front porch and entertain the neighbors when we were in school. Eric would sit in with whoever he could and quickly prove that he could hang with any musician. I hadn’t performed with him for over 20 years so it was a lot of fun when he asked me to sing a song with them at his Bristol concert.”