Our Dialogue, Vol. V by Jimmy Bennington

It was also

during this period that longtime Billy Harper drummer

Malcolm Pinson became a friend and mentor, eventually

using Jimmy as a substitute when he was away. Other great artists

Bennington has been priveledged to learn from are Ron Enyard,

Chuck Carter, G.T. Hogan, Roy Haynes, James Zitro, Rusty

Jones, Billy Mintz, and the legendary Elvin Jones. In fact, in

addition to eight years of study with the former Coltrane

drummer, he served as band manager and drum tech from

2000-2002 for the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine touring the U.S.,

England, and Switzerland.

Based in Chicago, after an eight year residence on the West

Coast, Bennington performs at a number of venues as a

sideman or bandleader with his group, Colour and Sound.

Performing in the U.S. with regular visits to Canada, New York,

Europe, and South America, he makes it a point to appear at

public schools, community centers, radio stations, and

festivals. Bennington also performs at hospitals as part of his

long-standing relationship with the Children's Cancer Association.

A distinctive sound has forged opportunities for the

drummer to work and record with a diverse array of artists

from the jazz and improvised music communities and beyond,

including legendary clarinetist Perry Robinson, pianists Gordon

Lee, Art Resnik, Doug Haning, Craig Hoyer, David Haney, and

Jim Baker, trombonists Andre` Hayward, Dave Dove, Michael

Vlatkovich, and Julian Priester, saxophonists Bert Wilson, Graham

Ord, Steve Griggs, Michael York, John Gross, Phillip Greenlief,

Rich Corpolongo, Paul Hartsaw, and Texas collaborator Seth

Paynter, guitarists John Stowell, Bill Horist, Ava Mendosa, Mark Barth,

Dave Miller, Ken Aldcroft, and Bill MacKay, bassists Eric Warren,

Andre' St. James, Michael Bisio, Joscha Oetz, Paul Blaney,

Mark Van Ziegler, and Hyoseb Kim. In addition to working

with bagpipes, Mariachi, poets, tap and interpretive dancers,

Jimmy has also performed with Rob Scheps Salon Des Refuses

Big Band and with the highly acclaimed L.A. cabaret singer

Joanne Klein. Embracing a broad spectrum of the jazz artform,

Bennington's concept ranges from the Great American

Songbook to New Music, Improvised and otherwise.

In addition to an appearance on Black Entertainment

Television's Jazz Discovery program in 1996, and a feature

in the soundtrack of Vincent O'Brien's critically acclaimed

independent film 'Scrum', the Origin Records label added

Bennington to their roster of artists in 2003 with his recording

'Midnight Choir'. That record earned a Recommended New

Release from All About Jazz New York. International attention

has followed with more appearances, airplay, and favorable

reviews in several publications including All About Jazz N.Y.,

One Final Note (Jazz and Improvised Music Webzine), and

Cadence Jazz, Blues, and Improvised Music Review. In 2005,

Jimmy was invited by the Leroy Vinneger Jazz Institute

to take part in the historic photo 'A Great Day in Portland',

an event celebrating the long jazz history in Oregon of which

Bennington was an active part of for six years (1999-2004).

Based in Chicago, Bennington performs every Sunday at

Ennui Cafe (6789 N. Sheridan Rd., 7-9pm) with his group

Colour and Sound. He is also drum instructor at Flattes and

Sharpe Music Co. (N. Sheridan Rd./ Roger's Park).

Important upcoming shows include appearances at

Chicago's famed Velvet Lounge with the Julian Priester Trio

(Thur/Fri July 5/6, 9-Midnight) and the Perry Robinson Trio

(Sat., Sept 29, 9-Midnight), at the Hungry Brain with guest Perry Robinson

(Sun., Sept. 30, 10pm), in Toronto, ON with acclaimed guitarist

Ken Aldcroft and flautist Rob Piilonen (May 25/27), at Myopic Books in

Chicago with guest cornetist Josh Berman (Mon. Aug. 6, 8pm),

and leading a special Trio at The Jazz Zone in Lima, Peru

(April 11/12, 2008).

Whatever the context, Bennington's intent is always one of

integrity and honesty of expression.

Available Recordings :

Contemplation, (1998)- A program of timeless jazz standards

and original compositions, featuring Seth Paynter and Andre`

Hayward with liner notes by Delfeayo Marsalis.

Midnight Choir, (2003)- Features Seth Paynter in trio and quartet

settings. OA2 Records 22007

Jass Music, Live at the Tugboat, vol.I (2003)- Trio featuring

saxophonist Michael York

Springtime, Live at the Tugboat, vol. II (2003)- Trio featuring

saxophonist John Gross

No Goodbye's, Live at the Tugboat, vol. III (2003)-Trio featuring

trombonist Michael Vlatkovich

The Cocktail Hour, Live at the Tugboat, vol. IV (2004)- Trio/Duo

featuring David Haney and Doug Haning

Our Dialogue, Live at the Tugboat, vol.V (2004, CD/DVD)- Piano

and Drums Duet with David Haney. CD Baby

Another Friend; The Music Of Herbie Nichols (2005)-Features David

Haney and Bassist Michael Bisio.

Jazz Kaleidocope; Live at On The House (2005)- Solo drums and

original compositions recorded live in Seattle. CD Baby

Portraits and Silhouettes (2007)- Duo with trombonist Julian Priester.

CD Baby

Jimmy Bennington is also a freelance writer and has been

published in Modern Drummer, Jazz Profile, and Cadence Jazz

and Blues Review.

Bibliography:

One Final Note review by David Dupont, July 2005

James Bennington by Chris DeLaurenti, The Stranger, Seattle,

WA, Feb 9, 2006

Meet Drummer Jimmy Bennington by Jack Gold, All About Jazz,

April, 2005

Contact:

benningtonjazz.com info@benningtonjazz.com

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