the Dave Bennett Quartet "salute to Benny Goodman and Friends" at North Port Performing Arts Center

Michigan-based clarinetist Dave Bennett is an authentic musical prodigy (totally self-taught) who brings to life the classic sound and music of Benny Goodman with incredible technique, style, beauty of tone and naturalness. Truly a “young phenom,” Dave resides in Waterford, Michigan, and began playing at age 10 on a clarinet given to him by his grandparents. He then taught himself how to play Goodman songs by ear, listening to a tape given to him by his grandfather. Dave had his first "feature appearance" playing Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen at his 5th grade band concert. At age 12 Dave was invited to the bandstand of the famous Sweet Basil jazz club in New York to sit in with the trumpet great Doc Cheatham....

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Michigan-based clarinetist Dave Bennett is an authentic musical prodigy (totally self-taught) who brings to life the classic sound and music of Benny Goodman with incredible technique, style, beauty of tone and naturalness. Truly a “young phenom,” Dave resides in Waterford, Michigan, and began playing at age 10 on a clarinet given to him by his grandparents. He then taught himself how to play Goodman songs by ear, listening to a tape given to him by his grandfather. Dave had his first "feature appearance" playing Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen at his 5th grade band concert. At age 12 Dave was invited to the bandstand of the famous Sweet Basil jazz club in New York to sit in with the trumpet great Doc Cheatham.

Dave started as a “road warrior” early: he was 14 when he began traveling all over the US with several Michigan-based Dixie bands on the “trad jazz” festival circuit. At 17 Bennett was selected as one of two high school students from a field of 600 to have the opportunity to perform as a special guest soloist with The Count Basie Orchestra.

Dave Bennett began touring his Tribute to Benny Goodman combo in 2005 and has now performed in over thirty-five US States and Canada and has appeared with thirty orchestras for “pops” shows. Dave made his Carnegie Hall debut on Nov. 1 2013, featured with The New York Pops, Steve Reineke, conducting.

Bennett has made a great impression on several of Benny Goodman’s famous band members: vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and pianist Dick Hyman all strongly endorse Dave Bennett as “the closest ever” to Goodman’s sound and style. He has performed with them in the US and Canada and recorded with them as “special guests” on Dave’s two recent Arbors CDs.

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