Portraits and Silhouettes by Jimmy Bennington/Julian Priester

Always involved with adventurous, boundary pushing music, Julian also worked with Sam Rivers and played in John Coltrane's Africa/Brass ensemble. Julian continued strongly into the 70's, playing in Duke Ellington's Big Band and with Herbie Hancock's Sextet, his most high-profile gig. In 1973, Julian moved to San Francisco and recorded two more records as a leader for ECM, 1974's Love, Love and 1977's Polarization. In the '80s, Julian joined Dave Holland's acclaimed quintet, with whom he recorded 2 records and toured extensively. In the 90's, Julian continued to be a vital voice in jazz music. He continued to work with Dave Holland, and toured with Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, worked and recorded with Wayne Horvitz's 4+1 ensemble, Jane Ira Bloom, Jerry Granelli, and Reggie Workman. Julian also co-led (with Sam Rivers) another session of his own, titled Hints on Light and Shadow.

Today, with a new CD (Julian Priester - In Deep End Dance - Conduit Records) and as the leader of a new quartet filled with overwhelming young talent, Julian continues to push forward. His new group features Dawn Clement on piano, Byron Vannoy on Drums and Geoff Harper on Bass. The sound of the quartet comes from the loose and adventuresome spirit of the players, who are always listening and never afraid to let go. This open approach to playing is evident on Julian's new release, In Deep End Dance, his first release as a leader in over 25 years. The music on this new CD is heartfelt and intensely emotional. It comes from Julian's deep history with this music, and shows a perspective on music that can only come from someone with Julian's vast experience. Adding to the spiritual weight of the record is Julian's appreciation for his second chance at life and at music that he was given by the organ transplant he received in March of 2000.

J i m m y B e n n i n g t o n

James Bennington was born in Columbus, Ohio

on May 22, 1970. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan

until the age of nine when his family moved to Houston,

Texas. It was there that he began music studies on

clarinet, playing the instrument for three years. Switching

to drums at age fourteen, his education has come from

private study, Marching and Concert Bands throughout

Middle and High School, work as a sideman and as a leader.

A largely self-taught musician, Jimmy's early experiences

include countless jazz and blues sessions in Texas that

afforded him opportunities to play with several veterans.

Notable artists include guitar greats Kinney Abair, Susan

Alcorn, Steve Radney, and Little Joe Washington, trumpeters

Tex Allen and Dennis Dotson, and renowned jazz vocalist

Horace Grigsby. 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 include 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,

Bennington served as band manager and drum tech from

2000-2002 for the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine touring the

U.S. and Europe.

Based in Chicago, after an eight year residence on the

West Coast, Bennington performs at a number of venues

as a sideman or leader 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

longstanding 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, cornetist Josh Berman, trumpeters Farnell Newton

and Jim Knodle, flutist Rob Piilonen, guitarists John Stowell, Shin

Yameda, Bill Horist, Tom McNalley, Mark Barth, Ava Mendoza,

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

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

Zeigler, 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, as well as vocalists

Stephanie Porter, acclaimed L.A. cabaret singer Joanne Klein,

and Chicago legend Kuki Boatwright. Embracing a broad

spectrum of the jazz artform, Bennington's concept ranges from

the Great American Songbook to New Music, Improvised and

otherwise.

Appearing on Black Entertainment Television's 'Jazz

Discovery' program in 1996, Bennington's music is also featured

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' (OA2-22007). 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, and Cadence Jazz, Blues,

and Improvised Music Review. In 2005, Jimmy was invited

by the Leroy Vinnegar Jazz Institute to take part in the historic

photo 'A Great Day in Portland'; an event celebrating the long

jazz history in Oregon which Bennington was an active part of

for six years (1999-2004).

Bennington performs every Sunday at Ennui Cafe (6789 N.

Sheridan Rd., 7-9pm) in Chicago with his group Colour and

Sound. A longtime private teacher, he is currently drum

instructor at Flattes and Sharpe Music Co.. Whatever the

context, Bennington's intent is always one of integrity

and honesty of expression.

Important upcoming shows include appearances at:

*Every Sunday at Ennui Cafe in Chicago, Jimmy Bennington's

Colour and Sound, special guests TBA (7-9pm)

*Chicago's famed Velvet Lounge with the Julian Priester Trio

(Thur/Fri July 5/6, 9-Midnight).

*Myopic Books in Chicago, Duo with Josh Berman

(Mon. Aug. 6, 7:30pm)

*Chicago's famed Velvet Lounge with the Perry Robinson Trio

(Sat. Sept. 29, 9-Midnight),

*Ennui Cafe in Chicago, Duo with Perry Robinson

(Sun. Sept. 30, 7-9pm)

*The Hungry Brain in Chicago, Jimmy Bennington's

Colour and Sound with special guest Perry Robinson

(Sun. Sept. 30, 10pm),

*Toronto, ON with acclaimed guitarist Ken Aldcroft

and flutist Rob Piilonen (May 25/27),

* Leading a Special Trio at The Jazz Zone in Lima, Peru

(Fri/Sat, April11/12, 2008).

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

Rutgers Encyclopedia of Jazz by Lewis Porter

(2007- )

Contact/Booking:

That Swan Productions

Chicago, IL

312.513.7979

www.benningtonjazz.com

info@benningtonjazz.com

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