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| Jimmy Bennington: from Chicago to Paris Chicago drummer/ bandleader Jimmy Bennington leaves for a brief stay in Paris following a duet performance with legendary trombonist Julian Priester at the 30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, Sunday August 31, 2-3pm, for the 'Art of the Solo' Series on the Jazz and Heritage Stage in Grant Park. The two will play original compositions, standards, explorations in pure sound, as well as music from their collaborative recording, 'Portraits and Silhouettes', which received an 'Honorable Mention' from AllAboutJazz- New York's Best Recordings of 2007. The recording, on Bennington's ThatSwan! label, will be re-issued in early September. Also included, will be a rare discussion with the master trombonist, who has played and recorded with many of the greatest names in Jazz, regarding his insightful approach to music over the last fifty years. Bennington is scheduled to appear at the underground Paris club L'Atelier Tampon-Ramier, Sunday, September 21 with renowned French bassist Benjamin Duboc and special guests, trumpeter Itaru Oki and alto saxophonist Didier Haboyan, before returning Stateside. Jimmy Bennington's Colour and Sound performs every Sunday at the Morseland (1218 W. Morse Ave. 773.764.8900) in Roger's Park over a year as of August 2008, regularly featuring saxophonists Fred Jackson and Jeff Marx, pianist Ben Boye, bassist Brian Sandstrom, and other artists from Chicago and beyond. Embracing a broad spectrum of the Jazz art form that ranges from the Great American Songbook to New Music, Bennington has developed an inimitable musical atmosphere that showcases his collaborators creative talents and places the drum in the role of timekeeper, colorist, and conductor. Always in keeping with the traditions of Jazz and Improvised music, he employs strong elements of the Blues and Folk music to explore, propel, cajole, and inspire both musicians and audiences alike. During his absence, regular guests will play in a variety of combinations and include Fred Jackson and Jeff Marx (Sept. 14), Ben Boye, and Brian Sandstrom, with special appearances (Sept. 21/28) by cellist Tomeka Reid and vocalist Saalik Ziyad. For his return (Sept. 28), Bennington will be joined by Tomeka Reid, Fred Jackson, and Saalik Ziyad. Trombonist and composer Julian Priester has played and recorded with a who's who of Jazz Artists including Lionel Hampton, Dinah Washington, Philly Joe Jones, and Herbie Hancock. From his early days in Chicago with Sun Ra and His Arkestra to Duke Ellington, from Max Roach to Muddy Waters. Born June 29, 1935 in Chicago, Julian attended DuSable High School along with Richard Davis, Gene Ammons, Benny Green, Charles Davis, and a host of others. His early Chicago career included extensive work with Sun Ra, sitting in with the Blues bands of the day, and collaborating with artists like Muhal Richard Abrams of the AACM. Officially settling in New York in 1958, his first recording as a leader, "Keep Swingin" was released in 1960 on Riverside Records and featured all stars Tommy Flanagan, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Heath, and Sam Jones. A highly sought out artist in the music community, Julian performs internationally and is currently a professor at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Come be a part of this historic and welcome return of a true American Master. James Bennington was born in Columbus, Ohio, May 22, 1970. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan until age nine when his family moved to Houston, Texas. It was there that he began music studies on clarinet, playing the instrument for three years. He switched to drums at the age of fourteen. Though largely self-taught, his education has come from concert and marching bands in Middle and High School, brief formal instruction, countless Jazz and Blues sessions, and work as a sideman and leader. Bennington has been privileged to learn from many artists, most notably, the late Elvin Jones. In fact, after several years of informal study with the former Coltrane drummer, Jimmy served as band manager and drum tech from 2000-2002 for the Elvin Jones Jazz Machine touring the U.S. and Europe. After signing with CIMP and Cadence Jazz Records in New York in February 2008, forthcoming releases beginning 2009 feature legendary clarinetist Perry Robinson and veteran bassist Ed Schuller. Based in Chicago, after long residences in Texas (1990-1998) and the West Coast (1998-2006), Bennington appears at a number of venues as a sideman or band leader with his group, Colour and Sound and performs in the U.S. with regular visits to Canada, Europe, and South America. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |