Jazz is one of the major forms of musical expression. In the 1970s, jazz was moving away from strict acoustic instruments and was adding electric instruments- turning its style toward rock music. Warren Benbow, who has been playing drums since he was young, details the changes jazz music underwent in his artistic memoir, "A Drummers Story" @ https://store.bookbaby.com/book/A-Drummers-Story1
After attending the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, Warren Benbow started exploring the world of jazz. In his book, he looks back on the influences that emerged since the '70s. He also recalls his performances and encounters with noteworthy musicians like Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Ornette Coleman, and James "Blood" Ulmer. Aside from music, his memoir also mentions the shifts in racial integration and political dynamics in 1960s and 1970s America.
I've been fortunate to have performed or recorded with artists such as Whitney Houston, Nina Simone, LL Cool J, Betty Carter, Michael Urbaniak with Ursula Dudziak, Nancy Wilson, Mavis Staples, Teruo Nakamura and Super Friends, Mary J. Blige, 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, where many of the music instructors were members of Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Meeting these people is how I began to get jazz gigs and work in New York.
While in high school I had a band with my classmates and we were playing the music of the Rascals and Vanilla Fudge. We were loud. At the same time I was playing jazz with singer Betty Carter that was much softer music, with light sticks and brushes. At first it was not easy to make the transition between playing loud with my band or soft with the jazz vocalist, but eventually I found a way.
I started out as a kid drummer, and although I'm not that kid drummer anymore, every time I get behind the kit I still feel like I am. I enjoy performing and I plan to keep on performing. Once a drummer, always a drummer!
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 show was in Vienna, and one in Munich. I flew to Vienna, arrived at the hotel in the morning, had an evening sound check and performance, and then did the same deal the day after in Munich. Performances were great, but not much time to sleep. The life of a musician...Ha!
I recently wrote a book about my drumming life in the
changing music scene in the '70s and '80s. It's called,"A Drummers Story".
For more info on "A Drummer's Story, and the best place to order the paperback or Ebook please visit:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/A-Drummers-Story
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