MP3 Portraits and Silhouettes - AVANT GARDE: Free Improvisation

A rare duet setting that features drummer Jimmy Bennington and legendary trombonist Julian Priester in a rare series of improvisations that include Duke Ellington's 'Mood Indigo', original compostions, and explorations in pure sound.

9 MP3 Songs
AVANT GARDE: Free Improvisation, JAZZ: Avant-Garde Jazz



Details:
Julian Priester is the most distinctive solo voice on the trombone today. Enhancing the colors and textures of his instrument with varied timbre and definitive style, he truly plays music his way.

Julian has a career that spans 5 decades, and he has been part of some of the most groundbreaking and important contemporary music to date. Born in Chicago on June 29, 1935, Julian Priester started out playing in the city's thriving blues and R&B scene, playing with artists like Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Lionel Hampton and Dinah Washington, as well as with Sun Ra's early groups in the mid 50's. Priester moved to New York in 1958. As a sideman on many Blue Note recordings, as well as in many other contexts, Julian worked with notables such as Max Roach, Ray Charles, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner and Art Blakey. It was also around this time (1960) that Julian recorded his first two records as a leader: Keep Swingin', and Spiritsville. 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