Like many drummers I started out early, and by the time I was sixteen and a half I began playing my first professional gigs. It seemed to me that I was born a drummer. Here is a little about me: I've been fortunate to have performed and or recorded with artists like: Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, LL Cool J, Betty Carter, Michal Urbaniak with Ursula Dudziak, Teruo Nakamura and Super Friends, Mary J. Blige, Nancy Wilson, Brian McKnight, James Blood Ulmer’s “Odyssey” Band, and many others.
I went to the High School of Performing Arts (FAME) and the Mannes College of Music here in NYC. At the same time I also attended the Jazzmobile here in NY as well, and at that time the music instructors at Jazzmobile were members of Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Meeting these people is how I began to get jazz gigs and work in NY.
While in high school I had a band with my classmates and we were playing music of the Rascals and Vanilla Fudge. We were kinda loud. At the same time I was playing jazz with singer Betty Carter which was soft music, with light sticks and brushes. And at first it was not easy to make the transition between playing loud with my band or soft to please the jazz vocalist. But eventually I found a way.
I work in recording studios here in town, but I enjoy performing live around the world even more, though at times it can be quite hectic. In fact I just got back from doing a couple of club dates in Europe with James 'Blood' Ulmer. One in Vienna, and one in Munich. It was plane flight to Vienna, arrive at hotel in the morning, evening sound check and performance, then the same deal the day after in Munich. Performances were great, but not much time to sleep. The life of a musician...Ha!
I started out as a kid drummer, and I'm not that kid drummer anymore. But every time I get behind the kit I still feel like I am. I still enjoy performing. And I plan to keep on performing. Once a drummer, always a drummer...
And, by the way I've written a book about my drumming life in the changing music scene, and the social political scene in the '70s and '80s. My book is called A Drummer's Story. Here is the cover. And if you'd like more info please go to the link below.
A Drummer’s Story
Written by Warren Benbow
E-book | $9.99
Paperback | $27.99
Purchase Book
I went to the High School of Performing Arts (FAME) and the Mannes College of Music here in NYC. At the same time I also attended the Jazzmobile here in NY as well, and at that time the music instructors at Jazzmobile were members of Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Meeting these people is how I began to get jazz gigs and work in NY.
While in high school I had a band with my classmates and we were playing music of the Rascals and Vanilla Fudge. We were kinda loud. At the same time I was playing jazz with singer Betty Carter which was soft music, with light sticks and brushes. And at first it was not easy to make the transition between playing loud with my band or soft to please the jazz vocalist. But eventually I found a way.
I work in recording studios here in town, but I enjoy performing live around the world even more, though at times it can be quite hectic. In fact I just got back from doing a couple of club dates in Europe with James 'Blood' Ulmer. One in Vienna, and one in Munich. It was plane flight to Vienna, arrive at hotel in the morning, evening sound check and performance, then the same deal the day after in Munich. Performances were great, but not much time to sleep. The life of a musician...Ha!
I started out as a kid drummer, and I'm not that kid drummer anymore. But every time I get behind the kit I still feel like I am. I still enjoy performing. And I plan to keep on performing. Once a drummer, always a drummer...
And, by the way I've written a book about my drumming life in the changing music scene, and the social political scene in the '70s and '80s. My book is called A Drummer's Story. Here is the cover. And if you'd like more info please go to the link below.
A Drummer’s Story
Written by Warren Benbow
E-book | $9.99
Paperback | $27.99
Purchase Book
