Jimmy Bennington

Biography

Born in Columbus, Ohio, 1970 James Bennington lived in Detroit, Michigan until 1979 when he relocated to Houston, Texas. He began music studies on clarinet while attending Elementary School, switching to drums at age thirteen, Bennington's experience has come from private study, marching and concert bands both middle and high school, work as a sideman, and as a band leader with his group, Colour and Sound.

Early musical experiences include participation in several jazz and blues sessions in Texas (late 1980s and early 1990s). Bennington studied with Elvin Jones eight years beginning in 1995 and served as band manager / drum tech, from 2000–2002 (tours U.S. and Europe).

Residence on West Coast from 1998-2006. Residence in Chicago 2006–present. Bennington has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America. He has played and recorded in the jazz and improvised music communities for a quarter of a century. In Chicago he has been an active contributor to the scene playing regularly with Brian Smith (Bassist), Fredrick Jackson (Saxophonist), Samuel Mösching, Dan Pierson, Mike W Harmon, and Artie Black among many others.

Most notably, Bennington was a featured performer at the 30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, Fred Anderson's Velvet Lounge, and the Tampon-Galerie in Paris (France, 2008).

Bennington's most current release was included in Down Beat Magazine's Best Recordings of 2014.

Recordings