Jimmy Bennington

Jimmy Bennington (born May 22, 1970; Columbus, Ohio) is a self-taught artist who began playing professionally in Texas, 1990. Mentored by late John Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones during the last decade of his life, Bennington was eventually hired as Jones' band manager/drum tech, touring the world as part of the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine (2000-2002). Since then, Bennington lived on the West Coast for several years (1997-2006), and has made Chicago his home base (2006-Present). Jimmy has performed and recorded with artists such as Julian Priester, Perry Robinson, John Stowell, Ed Schuller, Bert Wilson, Ken Filiano, Steve Cohn, John Blum, John Gross, Daniel Carter, and French bassist Benjamin Duboc. In 2007, Bennington joined the labels Cadence Jazz Records, CIMP, CIMPoL, and recently Slam as a recording artist. Bennington's own label, ThatSwan! Records, produced the collectors item Portraits and Silhouettes featuring Julian Priester, earning recognition for 'Best Recordings of 2007' from AllAboutJazz- New York as well as live performances at the Chicago Jazz Festival and Fred Anderson’s Velvet Lounge.

Of Bennington’s recordings: Another friend; the Music of Herbie Nichols is popular throughout Japan and referenced in the only book out on Nichols, A Jazzists Life by Mark Miller (Mercury Press). The Walk to Montreuil is about an American's sojourn through France. Exotic Coda features one of the late Ornette Coleman’s protégés, Demian Richardson and was included in Down Beat Magazine’s, Best Albums of 2014 issue. Other releases include One More Beautiful Ballad featuring Daniel Carter and Ed Schuller (CIMP) and No Lunch in Hackensack (Unseen Rain) with pianist Steve Cohn (New York). Bennington was also honored to be included on Stix and Stones by David Haney that features legendary drummers Bernard Purdie and Han Bennink (Slam 2016). Bennington was also included in the book Dreaming Drums by Christian Ducasse in 2019 (Parenthesis Press, Paris).

Bennington celebrates nearly thirty years in the music field…notable performances with his group, Jimmy Bennington Colour and Sound include visits to New York at the famed Bop Shop in Rochester, the Shape Shifter Lab in Brooklyn, the Jazz Forum at the University of Illinois (Champagne-Urbana), the Chicago Botanic Garden, Arts Incubator (University of Chicago), the Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Martyrs, Elastic Arts, the 2nd Story, the Whistler, and the California Clipper among others...he has even performed for one of the Presidents of the United States.

The Jimmy Bennington Colour and Sound Trio can be heard regularly at the elegant Rhythm Room Bar and Bistro in Evanston, Illinois.

Bennington is proudly endorsed by Dream Cymbals and Gongs and serves as a Drum Instructor at the Guitar Center (Central Chicago)

“…Bennington has put into motion major activity in the accelerated world of music.” – Delfeayo Marsalis “….Bennington’s unique sound and loose drumming, which doesn’t follow traditional rhythmic patterns and leaves quite a bit of room to freedom.” – Down Beat Magazine

Awards

*Portraits and Silhouettes- Honorable Mention- All About Jazz Best Recordings of 2007 *Inclusion in 'Best Recordings of 2014' Down Beat Magazine (Jan. 2015)

Gear

Slingerland 15 bass drum
Ludwig classic 14 steel snare
Tama toms 13 and 16
Dream cymbals 16 20 and 20
Vic Firth 5a wood tip sticks
Regal Tip wire brushes
Symphonic bamboo mallets

Tags

Album Review

Midnight Choir by John Kelman
Midnight Choir by Budd Kopman

"Solid, exploratory Jazz." —Cadence, 1998

"Jazz music that treats the drum as an instrument equal to the piano...experimenting with the below the skin deep beauty music has always had, but which few artists have been daring enough to delve into." —Muses Muse, 2003

"Bennington plays with a lot of imagination revealing the influence of Paul Motian, Tony Williams, and Ed Blackwell...very well done...will please fans of abstract modern mainstream." —Cadence, 2004

"...Bennington's unique sound and loose drumming, which doesn't follow traditional rhythmic patterns and leaves quite a bit of room to freedom." -Alain Drouot, Down Beat Magazine, Jan

Primary Instrument

Drums

Location

Chicago

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Although primarily self-taught, Bennington played extensively in Concert and Marching Band throughout Middle and High School. In addition to learning from several great Jazz drummers, Bennington was fortunate to study informally with his mentor Elvin Jones over a period of eight years. From 2000-2002 he served as Jones' drum tech touring the U.S. and Europe. Bennington has several years of private instruction experience that also include drum workshops with the Children's Cancer Association, the VSA Arts, the Sound of the Underbrush Improvising Workshop in Seattle, and the Association of Improvising Musicians Toronto. Bennington currently teaches privately and in conjunction with Flatts and Sharpe Music Co. (Chicago). Daytime hours preferred. Private lessons $50.00 per hour