"James Arnold Bennington (born May 22, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio) is an American jazz drummer and avant-garde musician based in Chicago, Illinois.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, 1970 James Bennington lived in Detroit, Michigan until 1978 when he relocated to Houston, Texas. He began music studies on clarinet while attending Elementary School, switching to drums at age thirteen, Bennington's experience has come from private study, marching and concert bands both middle and high school, work as a sideman, and as a band leader with his group, Colour and Sound.

Early musical experiences include participation in several jazz and blues sessions in Texas (late 1980s and early 1990s). Bennington studied with Elvin Jones ten years beginning in 1994 and served as band manager / drum tech, from 2000Ð2002 (tours U.S. and Europe).

Residence on West Coast from 1998-2006. Residence in Chicago 2006Ðpresent. Bennington has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America. He has played and recorded in the jazz and improvised music communities for over a quarter of a century. In Chicago he has been an active contributor to the music scene playing extensively with Ed Schuller (Bassist), Brian Smith (Bassist), Fredrick Jackson Jr. (Saxophonist), Samuel Hasting (guitarist), Jim Baker (piano), Mike W Harmon (bassist), Davi Priest (bassist), Steve Cohn (Pianist), Dustin Laurenzi (Saxophonist), Ben Schmidt-Swartz (Saxophonist), and Artie Black (Saxophonist) among many others.

Most notably, Bennington was a featured performer at the 30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, Fred Anderson's Velvet Lounge, and the Tampon-Galerie in Paris (France, 2008). Bennington is proudly endorsed by Dream Cymbals and Gongs, Inc.."

Davi Priest - bass

Education: Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Summa Cum Laude Minors: Physics and Philosophy; DePaul University School of Music

Has performed at: The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Jazz Showcase, The University of Chicago Logan Center for the Arts, The Center for Black Music Research, Elastic Arts, SPACE, Theater Wit, The Arts Club of Chicago, Jay Pritzker Pavillion and The Harris Theater (in Millenium Park)

Currently performs with: Zac Nunnery Trio, Jimmy Bennington Color and Sound, Jenna Przybysz Collective, Bob Lark and His Alumni Big Band (as a sub), The Henry Smith Quintet

Studied with: Dennis Carroll, Rodney Whittaker, Clark Sommers, Kelly Sill, Jason Heath, Dana Hall, Bob Lark, Thom Matta, Bob Palmieri, Bill Sears, Typhanie Monique, Bradley Williams, Chad McCullough, Luke Gillespie, Bob Rummage, Tim Coffman, Michael Lewanski

Teaching philosophy: As a performer and a teacher, it is my responsibility to help others develop deeper connections to the music they love. In this way, teaching is not about showing students how music should be appreciated; it is about finding how students appreciate music, then deepening those connections by exposing students to new techniques, different perspectives, and the craft behind art. I intend to help give rise to a generation of self taught, thoughtful musicians, who recognize the artistic sensibilities of others, learn from them, and use those insights to develop their own art.

"Chicago saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi has developed a distinctly personal approach to improvisation and composition that has garnered the attention of the city's creative music community. Recognized for his "offbeat approach to articulating harmonies and constructing melodies" (NextBop), Laurenzi's music is inspired and informed by jazz, folk, improvised music, and contemporary classical music. His inventive improvisational sensibilities have made him a sought-after musician in many circles of Chicago's vibrant music scene.

Laurenzi has been a leader/co-leader of his own projects, Twin Talk, Snaketime, and Natural Language, as well as a member of Matt Ulery's Loom/Large, the Quentin Coaxum Quintet, and Katie Ernst's Little Words, among others. He has released several albums featuring his original compositions, including Twin Talk's 2019 release Weaver, praised by PopMatters as "inventive and exhilarating." Laurenzi has toured extensively with Grammy award-winning artist Bon Iver, with performances at Coachella Music Festival, Primavera Sound, and the Hollywood Bowl, among others. He also appears on the band's critically acclaimed 2016 release 22, A Million.

Laurenzi earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and a Performer's Certificate from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in 2011. He has performed/recorded with Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, Russ Johnson, Jeff Hirshfield, Corey Christiansen, This Is The Kit, the Dave Lisik Jazz Orchestra featuring Tim Hagans, and has recently been featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center."

"Artie Black is a saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and educator based in Chicago. He co-leads the group Black Diamond, an ensemble that has been actively performing and touring since 2012. Artie can also be heard in groups led by drummer Gustavo Cortiñas, bassist Matt Ulery, trumpeter Alexander Massa, guitarist Jeff Swanson, trombonist Luke Malevicz, drummer Greg Artry, and many others in Chicago's creative music scene. His newest projects are a collaborative trio with bassist / vocalist Katie Ernst and guitarist Matt Gold; and an apprenticeship and collaboration with Indian tabla master Sandip Burman.

Originally from Butler, Pennsylvania, Artie was first inspired to pursue a career in music through lessons with Dr. Terry Steele, professor of saxophone at Slippery Rock University. Artie graduated with a degree in music education from Messiah College in 2010, and during his undergraduate years he was a student of saxophonist Tim Warfield, Jr. Artie continued his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, earning a Master's degree in Jazz Studies in 2012. At Indiana, Artie studied saxophone with Tom Walsh and worked as an Associate Instructor with legendary jazz educator David Baker.

Artie moved to Chicago in 2012, where he quickly established himself as an important part of the creative music scene. He has appeared at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and as a part of the Next Gen Jazz Series, and has played as a leader and sideman at The Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, Jazz Showcase, Constellation, and hundreds of other venues. Recent highlights include a weeklong tour and recording with his group Living Bridge, and a series of performances and workshops with Steve Coleman's Five Elements.

In addition to his passion for performance, Artie is fascinated by the learning and teaching process. He currently serves as adjunct professor of saxophone at Wheaton College, and also teaches at Trinity Christian College. Since 2013 Artie has worked as a teaching artist with Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. His goal as a teacher is to inspire his students to find joy through learning for themselves."