Jim Benoit began performing as a classical, contemporary, and jazz percussionist at a very young age. Living in Niskayuna, New York, Jim was blessed to reside in the vicinity of two great music teachers (Mark Foster and Richard Albagli), and where a local music organization, the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO), gave young musicians a variety of performing opportunities. Through ESYO, Jim was able to perform in Percussion Ensembles, as the Drumset performer and Vibist in Jazz Ensembles, and as the Timpanist and a Percussionist in various Orchestras.
At the age of 15, Jim performed on the “From the Top” PBS National Radio Broadcast at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, New York. Then at the age of 17, he had the honor of performing Alan Hovhaness’ “Fantasy of Japanese Woodprints”, a composition for solo marimba and orchestra, as the Winner of the Empire State Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition. Jim also participated in New York State’s All-State Music program, performing in both the Wind-Ensemble and the Jazz Ensemble.
In 2005, Jim enrolled in the Boston Conservatory of Music to study Timpani with Salvatore Rabbio, Percussion with Pat Hollenbeck, and Marimba with Nancy Zeltsman. After three semesters at the Boston Conservatory, Jim transferred to the Berklee College of Music to broaden himself as a musician. He would continue studying “classically” with both Mr. Rabbio and Hollenbeck in order to combine resources from both the Boston Conservatory and Berklee and get an education second to none.
During his time Berklee, Jim worked with a multitude of amazing musicians including Richard Flanagan (Classical/Orchestral Percussionist), Jamey Haddad (Drum-Set and World Percussionist), Ed Saindon (Vibraphonist), Dave Samuels (Vibraphonist), Phil Wilson (Jazz Arranger, Band Leader, and Conductor), Nancy Zeltsman (Marimbist). Jim was recognized for his performing abilities with Honorable Mentions by the Yamaha Corporation in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, he was a percussionist with the Music Academy of the West (Santa Barbara, CA), and has been a past performer at other prestigious music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival and Eastern Music Festival.
Currently, Jim is performing throughout the country as a classical, jazz, and contemporary percussionist. He is the vibist and percussionist for Phil Wilson’s Internationally Acclaimed Rainbow Big Band, performs as the mallet percussionist for The Waitiki 7, and performs as an orchestral timpanist and percussionist with orchestras and chamber groups all over the east coast including the Boston Pops, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and Albany Symphony.