Drummer Warren Benbow Releases New Album
Just back from a tour of Europe with James ‘Blood’ Ulmer’s Odyssey band, industry veteran drummer Warren Benbow releases Harmolodic Adventure.
Benbow created the album using Alessis electronic drums with a series of one take overdubs.
In his career, Warren Benbow has played with most people in most styles of music. He has performed with Whitney Houston, LL Cool J, Nina Simone, Mary J. Blige, Michael Urbaniak, James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, and many others. While attending the High School of Performing Arts, Warren studied at the Jazzmobile in NYC where he was introduced to jazz vocalist Betty Carter, and his career took flight.
While working in Nina Simone’s jazz/folk band, Warren was introduced to Stevie Wonder and they became fast friends. Stevie was even the best man at Warren’s wedding!
Warren was at most of the recording sessions for the album Music Of My Mind, and was inspired by Stevie’s use of the synthesizer to incorporate electronics into this project. After a stint acting in short films and even the Broadway production of I Love My Wife, starring The Smothers Brothers, Warren was introduced to James ‘Blood’ Ulmer and Ornette Coleman.
An original member of James “Blood” Ulmer’s Harmolodic “Odyssey” band, he still tours with Mr. Ulmer from time to time. Utilising some of the top talent in NY, this band includes, AL MacDowell- Bass/Producer (Ornette Coleman), Brandon Ross- Guitar (Cassandra Wilson, Harriet Tubman), Jay Rodriguez- Saxes and Flute (Groove Collective), Graham Haynes- Trumpet (Steve Coleman/MBase), Chris Theberge- Congas and Percussion (Groove Collective), Pete Drungle- Piano (Ornette Coleman)?and, Charlie Burnham- Violin (James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, Cassandra Wilson).
Warren’s Harmolodic Adventure is now getting airplay in Europe, especially on Zurich’s ‘Sun Radio’, and he now has plans to do shows in New York this summer in support of the album, before heading to Europe in the fall.