Joe Beninati

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Portland, ME based drummer and percussionist Joe Beninati is the youngest of three children. He grew up in a suburb of NYC surrounded by musicians. With music running in his blood, Joe begged his parents for a drum set at the age of 9. While on vacation in upstate, NY, Joe and his parents found a music store called “Joe’s Drumshop”. After stopping in, they ended up coming home in the family station wagon with both their luggage and a new drum set surrounding him in the back seat. This was the beginning.

 

Throughout his journey as a drummer, Joe has found inspiration from such jazz legends as Buddy Rich, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones, to classic rockers like John Bonham and Mick Fleetwood, to the more contemporary influences of Steve Gadd, Jojo Mayer, Eric Harland, Chris Dave, Mark Guiliana, Matt Chamberlain, Carter Beauford and Jimmy Chamberlin.
While drawing much inspiration from well-known musicians and learning from various teachers, Joe credits his development to three drum mentors in particular: Jazz drummer David Jones Jr., Howard Hirsh, (Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, countless orchestras and Broadway) Bob Meyer (John Abercrombie and Joe Lovano) and Jordan Perlson (Snarky Puppy, Matisyahu, Charlie Hunter, Blue Man Group,Becca Stevens, Kaki King). Though Joe had been playing professionally for over twenty-five years with numerous bands, he attended Lehman College in 2004 to study percussion, theory, ear training and composition to become a more rounded musician. While he is skilled in piano, guitar and bass, he has always felt the strongest gravitational pull from the drums. “I always loved rhythm, because as a drummer, playing utilizes your entire being.”

Versatile in styles from rock, pop, Latin, soul, funk, and jazz, Joe’s abilities are boundless. Currently, you can find him performing and recording with Viva and the Reinforcements, Jason Ward and the West End Mules, Matt Newberg and the Heart of Gold, Myles Bullen, Pretty Sad, a Jazz trio under his name and many other groups all around New England. He is also Otis Redding III’s drummer when he plays Maine. Joe’s outlook on music is refreshing. He is grounded in his desire to continuously evolve as a player.

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Email: bluriverarts@gmail.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/joebeninati

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Carmen Intorre Jr.

Biography
Carmen Intorre Jr. developed an early interest in music and began playing drums at age five. He has performed and recorded with numerous musicians such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many others. Carmen currently holds down the drum chair with legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist's organ trio and quintet.

A 2011 GRAMMY® nominee for his co-producer credit on the critically acclaimed album by Joey DeFrancesco entitled Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson, Intorre also had the pleasure of performing alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show Legends of Jazz, hosted by Ramsey Lewis.  Receiving both his BM and MM degrees from The Juilliard School Intorre is always eager to uncover the latest information about music and drumming and to share that information with others. He states, "This is my job. I
have to give back what I was given a chance to do." He goes on to explain, "Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences' souls as well.  I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members of the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered.” Perhaps one word best describes Carmen Intorre and his music: Joy. Reminiscent of Billy Higgins, Intorre brings a palpable swing and drive to virtually every bandstand he performs on.

 

https://www.craviottodrums.com/craviotto-artists?lightbox=dataItem-ks7rydzn

https://sabian.com/artist/carmen-intorre-jr/

http://www.dwdrums.com/artists/roster.asp

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carmenintorrejr@gmail.com

https://www.carmenintorrejr.com/

https://www.facebook.com/carmenintorredrums

https://www.instagram.com/carmenintorrejr

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James Kooken 

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Drummer of 16+ years, Current member of Johnny Hart and the Mess and Jokuken and various other bands and Buffalo music projects over the years.

 

Instagram and Twitter: @6457633678755h, @jhatm_bflo, jekooken@gmail.com

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Profiles to come...

Damone A-Miracle Jackson

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Jeff Schaller

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Marco Cocirigliano "The Italian Drummer"

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