At the
High School of Performing Arts, Benbow studied drums and percussion with
Warren Smith and
Morris Goldenberg of the
Juilliard School. Later at
Mannes College he studied with
Walter Rosenberger, also of the New York Philharmonic, and with
Dong Wong Park. While studying in the
Jazzmobile with
Freddie Waits and
Albert “Tootie” Heath, Benbow was introduced by Waits to jazz vocalist
Betty Carter, and his career as a professional drummer began. He toured with Ulmer and played on Ulmer's albums
Odyssey,
Bloody Guitar,
Part Time,
Live At The Caravan Of Dreams, and
Reunion. In addition to his jazz work, Benbow worked on
Broadway, and also worked in pop with
Whitney Houston,
Gwen Guthrie,
LL Cool J,
SWV, and
Mary J. Blige. In 2011, Benbow toured Europe with Ulmer's reformed Odyssey band. Benbow died on September 29, 2024. ==Discography==