# David Benoit

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American jazz pianist (born 1953)

For other people named David Benoit, see [David Benoit (disambiguation)](/source/David_Benoit_(disambiguation)).

David Benoit David Benoit performing at Jazz Alley on March 16, 2007 Background information Born David Bryan Benoit (1953-08-18) August 18, 1953 (age 72) Bakersfield, California, U.S. Genres Jazz, smooth jazz, easy listening Occupations Musician, composer, producer Instrument Piano Years active 1976–present Labels AVI, GRP, Peak Website www.davidbenoitmusic.com

Musical artist

**David Bryan Benoit** (born August 18, 1953) is an American jazz pianist, composer and producer, based in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California), California, United States. Benoit has charted over 25 albums since 1980, and has been nominated for three [Grammy Awards](/source/Grammy_Awards).[1] He is also music director for the Pacific Vision Youth Symphony (previously known as the Asia America Symphony Orchestra) and the Asia America Youth Orchestra. Furthermore, crediting [Vince Guaraldi](/source/Vince_Guaraldi) as an inspiration, Benoit has participated both as performer and music director for the later animated adaptations of the *[Peanuts](/source/Peanuts)* comic strip, such as the feature film, *[The Peanuts Movie](/source/The_Peanuts_Movie)*, restoring Guaraldi's musical signature to the franchise.

## Early life

David Bryan Benoit was born in [Bakersfield](/source/Bakersfield%2C_California), California,[2][3] on August 18, 1953.[4][5] He studied piano at age 13 with Marya Cressy Wright and continued his training with Abraham Fraser, who was the pianist for [Arturo Toscanini](/source/Arturo_Toscanini). He attended [Mira Costa High School](/source/Mira_Costa_High_School).[6] He focused on theory and composition at [El Camino College](/source/El_Camino_College), studying orchestration with Donald Nelligan, and later took [film scoring](/source/Film_score) classes taught by Donald Ray at [UCLA](/source/University_of_California%2C_Los_Angeles). His education in music conducting began with [Heiichiro Ohyama](/source/Heiichiro_Ohyama), assistant conductor of the [L.A. Philharmonic](/source/Los_Angeles_Philharmonic), and continued with Jan Robertson, head of the conducting department at UCLA. He worked with Jeffrey Schindler, Music Director for the [UC Santa Barbara](/source/University_of_California%2C_Santa_Barbara) symphony orchestra.

## Career

He began his career as a musical director and conductor for [Lainie Kazan](/source/Lainie_Kazan) in 1976, before moving on to similar roles with singer/actresses [Ann-Margret](/source/Ann-Margret) and [Connie Stevens](/source/Connie_Stevens).

His [GRP Records](/source/GRP_Records) debut album, *[Freedom at Midnight](/source/Freedom_at_Midnight_(album))* (1987), made it to number 5 on *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'*s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums [chart](/source/Billboard_charts).[7] Benoit also says that it was his favorite album to produce, because it was when "everything came together," as he stated in an interview on SmoothViews.com. An earlier "live in the studio" (direct record, no mixing or overdubs) album on Spindletop Records, *This Side Up* (previously 1986), was re-released on the GRP label.

*[Waiting for Spring](/source/Waiting_for_Spring_(album))* (1989) made it to number 1 on *Billboard'*s Top Jazz Albums chart.[7] *[Shadows](/source/Shadows_(David_Benoit_album))*, from 1991, made it to number 2 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.[7]

Out of respect for one of his main influences, [Bill Evans](/source/Bill_Evans), he dedicated his 1992 album *[Letter to Evan](/source/Letter_to_Evan_(David_Benoit_album))* to him.[8]

Many of his songs employ a string section, most notably on his *American Landscape* (1997) and *Orchestral Stories* (2005) albums.

In 2000, after the death of *[Peanuts](/source/Peanuts)* creator [Charles M. Schulz](/source/Charles_M._Schulz), he released a memorial album titled *[Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!](/source/Here's_to_You%2C_Charlie_Brown%3A_50_Great_Years!)*. Collaborators included the chorus group [Take 6](/source/Take_6), guitarist [Marc Antoine](/source/Marc_Antoine_(musician)) and trumpeter [Chris Botti](/source/Chris_Botti). He also scored several "Peanuts" animated television specials, emulating the style of [Vince Guaraldi](/source/Vince_Guaraldi). The album made it to number 2 on the Top Jazz Albums chart.[7] An earlier cover of Guaraldi's "[Linus and Lucy](/source/Linus_and_Lucy)", recorded in 1985 for the aforementioned album *This Side Up*, enjoyed notable radio airplay and helped to launch the [smooth jazz](/source/Smooth_jazz) genre.

Benoit has [arranged](/source/Arrangement), conducted, and performed music for many popular pop and jazz artists, including [Russ Freeman](/source/Russ_Freeman_(guitarist)) and the [Rippingtons](/source/Rippingtons) (he was involved with the band in its formative stages, and they often appeared on each other's albums), [Kenny Loggins](/source/Kenny_Loggins), [Michael Franks](/source/Michael_Franks_(musician)), [Patti Austin](/source/Patti_Austin), [Dave Koz](/source/Dave_Koz), [Kenny Rankin](/source/Kenny_Rankin), [Faith Hill](/source/Faith_Hill), [David Lanz](/source/David_Lanz), [Cece Winans](/source/Cece_Winans), [David Pack](/source/David_Pack), [David Sanborn](/source/David_Sanborn), [The Walt Disney Company](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company) and [Brian McKnight](/source/Brian_McKnight). He paid homage to one of his chief influences, [Leonard Bernstein](/source/Leonard_Bernstein), by playing, arranging, and performing on *The Songs of West Side Story*, an all-star project produced by David Pack which achieved gold sales status. Benoit contributed to the [Rippingtons](/source/Rippingtons)'s debut album, *[Moonlighting](/source/Moonlighting_(The_Rippingtons_album))*, which was named the most influential contemporary jazz album of all time by *Jazziz* magazine.[9]

*The Benoit/Freeman Project* album was given 41⁄2 stars by *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*, the highest rating Benoit has received from the service, and the album made it to number 2 on the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart from *Billboard*.[7][10]

Benoit's music can be heard during [The Weather Channel](/source/The_Weather_Channel_(United_States))'s "Local on the 8s" segments. His version of "[Cast Your Fate to the Wind](/source/Cast_Your_Fate_to_the_Wind)" by [Vince Guaraldi](/source/Vince_Guaraldi) is included on the album *[The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II](/source/The_Weather_Channel_Presents%3A_Smooth_Jazz_II)* (2008). In May 2011, Benoit began hosting a morning program at jazz radio station [KKJZ](/source/KKJZ) in [Long Beach](/source/Long_Beach%2C_California), California.[11]

Benoit has performed at the White House for three U.S. Presidents: [Bill Clinton](/source/Bill_Clinton), [Ronald Reagan](/source/Ronald_Reagan), and [George Bush Sr.](/source/George_Bush_Sr.) Other dignitaries he performed for include [Colin Powell](/source/Colin_Powell), [Hillary Clinton](/source/Hillary_Clinton), [Al Gore](/source/Al_Gore), former Los Angeles mayors [Tom Bradley](/source/Tom_Bradley_(American_politician)) and [James Hahn](/source/James_Hahn), as well as Senator [Dick Durbin](/source/Dick_Durbin).

## Awards and honors

- 1989: *[Every Step of the Way](/source/Every_Step_of_the_Way)*, Grammy nomination for [Best Contemporary Jazz Performance](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Jazz_Fusion_Performance)

- 1996: *GRP All-Star Big Band*, Grammy nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance

- 2000: "Dad's Room" from *Professional Dreamer*, Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Composition

- 2001: "[Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!](/source/Here's_to_You%2C_Charlie_Brown%3A_50_Great_Years!)", Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, Non-classical

## Discography

### Albums

#### As leader/co-leader

Year Title Label Notes 1977 Heavier Than Yesterday AVI; Bluemoon 1980 Can You Imagine AVI; Bluemoon 1982 Stages AVI; Bluemoon 1983 Digits AVI; Bluemoon 1983 Christmastime AVI; Bluemoon 1984 Waves of Raves AVI; Bluemoon Compilation of AVI material 1985 This Side Up Spindletop; En Pointe 1986 Summer (AKA Some Other Sunset and If I Could Reach Rainbows) Electric Bird; Intersound; Sin-Drome Re-recordings of early material 1987 Freedom at Midnight GRP 1988 Every Step of the Way GRP 1989 Urban Daydreams GRP 1989 Waiting for Spring GRP 1990 Inner Motion GRP 1991 Shadows GRP 1992 Letter to Evan GRP 1994 Lost And Found Rhino Compilation of AVI material 1994 Shaken Not Stirred GRP 1994 The Benoit/Freeman Project GRP with Russ Freeman 1995 The Stars Fell on Henrietta Varèse Sarabande soundtrack 1996 Remembering Christmas GRP 1997 American Landscape GRP 1999 Professional Dreamer GRP 2000 Great Composers of Jazz Vertical Jazz/Fine Tune with Brian Bromberg and Gregg Bissonette 2000 Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! GRP 2002 Fuzzy Logic GRP 2003 Right Here, Right Now GRP/Verve 2004 The Benoit/Freeman Project 2 Concord/Peak with Russ Freeman 2005 Orchestral Stories Concord/Peak 2005 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas Concord/Peak 2006 Full Circle Concord/Peak 2006 Standards Kind of Blue Reissue of Great Composers of Jazz 2008 Heroes Concord/Peak 2008 Jazz for Peanuts Concord/Peak 2010 Earthglow Concord/Heads Up 2012 Conversation Concord/Heads Up 2015 2 in Love Concord with Jane Monheit 2015 Believe (David Benoit Trio) Concord with Jane Monheit and the All American Boys Chorus 2017 The Steinway Sessions Steinway & Sons 2017 So Nice Shanachie with Marc Antoine 2019 David Benoit and Friends Shanachie 2020 It's a David Benoit Christmas! Steinway & Sons 2021 Old Friends Cafe Pacific with Mark Winkler 2022 A Midnight Rendezvous Shanachie 2024 Timeless SoNo Recording Group 2025 Steinway After Dark Steinway & Sons

#### As a member

**[The Rippingtons](/source/The_Rippingtons)**

- *[Moonlighting](/source/Moonlighting_(The_Rippingtons_album))* (Passport Jazz · GRP, 1986)

- *[Live in L.A.](/source/Live_in_L.A._(The_Rippingtons_album))* (GRP, 1992)

#### As sideman

- 1976 [Alphonse Mouzon](/source/Alphonse_Mouzon), *[The Man Incognito](/source/The_Man_Incognito)* (Blue Note)

- 1987 Full Swing, *In Full Swing* (Cypress)

- 1988 [Patti Austin](/source/Patti_Austin), *[The Real Me](/source/The_Real_Me_(Patti_Austin_album))* (Qwest)

- 1988 Sam Riney, *Lay It on the Line* (River Estates)

- 1990 [Emily Remler](/source/Emily_Remler), *[This Is Me](/source/This_Is_Me_(Emily_Remler_album))* (Justice)

- 1991 [Patti Austin](/source/Patti_Austin), *Carry On* (GRP)

- 1992 Kilauea, *Tropical Pleasures* (Brainchild)

- 1997 [Lorraine Feather](/source/Lorraine_Feather), *The Body Remembers* (Bean Bag Entertainment)

- 1999 [Dave Koz](/source/Dave_Koz), *[The Dance](/source/The_Dance_(Dave_Koz_album))* (Capitol)

- 2004 [Brian Bromberg](/source/Brian_Bromberg), *Choices* (A440 Music Group)

- 2013 [David Pack](/source/David_Pack), *David Pack's Napa Crossroads* (Concord)

- 2015 [Christophe Beck](/source/Christophe_Beck), *[The Peanuts Movie](/source/The_Peanuts_Movie_(Original_Motion_Picture_Soundtrack))* (Epic)

### Charted albums

Year Album Peak chart positions Label US 200 [12] US Top Sales [13] US Jazz [14] US Con. Jazz [15] US R&B /HH [16] US Trad Jazz [17] US Top Cur [18] US Ind [19] US Holi [20] 1986 This Side Up — — — — — 4 — — — Spindletop/En Pointe 1987 Freedom at Midnight — — — 5 — — — — — GRP 1988 Every Step of the Way 129 — — 4 — — 129 — — 1989 Urban Daydreams 101 — — 4 — — 101 — — Waiting for Spring 187 — — — — 1 187 — — 1990 Inner Motion 161 — — 3 — — 161 — — 1991 Shadows — — — 2 — — — — — 1993 Letter to Evan — — 50 — — 3 — — — 1994 The Benoit/Freeman Project (The Benoit/Freeman Project) 118 118 2 2 73 — 118 — — Shaken Not Stirred — — 19 14 — — — — — 1995 The Best of David Benoit 1987–1995 — — 25 19 — — — — — 1996 Remembering Christmas — — 27 15 — — — — — 1997 American Landscape — — 9 7 — — — — — 1999 Professional Dreamer — — 11 8 — — — — — 2000 Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! — — 5 — — 2 — — — 2002 Fuzzy Logic — — 9 6 — — — — — 2003 Right Here, Right Now — — 18 10 — — — — — 2004 The Benoit/Freeman Project 2 (The Benoit/Freeman Project) — — 11 7 — — — 48 — Peak 2005 Orchestral Stories — — 48 — — — — — — 2006 Full Circle — — 17 7 — — — — — 2008 Heroes — — 17 9 — — — — — Jazz for Peanuts — — 25 — — 14 — — — 2010 Earthglow — — 8 4 — — — — — 2012 Conversation — — 9 2 — — — — — Heads Up 2015 2 in Love (David Benoit featuring Jane Monheit) — — 6 — — 5 — — — Concord Believe (The David Benoit Trio featuring Jane Monheit and the All-American Boys Chorus) — — 23 — — 15 — — — 2017 The Steinway Sessions — — — 13 — — — — — Steinway So Nice! (David Benoit and Marc Antoine) — — 4 2 — — — — — Shanachie 20th Anniversary Christmas (Dave Koz and Friends) — — 3 1 — — 64 — 6 Concord 2019 David Benoit and Friends — — 3 2 — — — — — Shanachie 2022 Christmas Ballads (Dave Koz and Friends) — — — 7 — — — — — Just Koz "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

### Charted singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album Adult Cont. [21] Smooth Jazz Airplay [22] 1988 "The Key to You" 40 —N/a Every Step of the Way 2005 "Pick Up the Pieces" (Kenny G featuring David Benoit) — 24 Kenny G – At Last...The Duets Album 2006 "Beat Street" — 5 Full Circle 2007 "Water to Drink (Água de Beber)" — 28 2008 "Human Nature" — 18 Heroes 2010 "Will's Chill" — 6 Earthglow 2011 "Botswana Bossa Nova" — 1 2012 "Feelin' It" — 1 Conversation "You're Amazing" — 4 2015 "Too in Love" (David Benoit featuring Jane Monheit) — 7 2 in Love 2017 "Caminando" (David Benoit and Marc Antoine) — 1 So Nice 2018 "French Cafe" (David Benoit and Marc Antoine) — 26 2019 "Dave G" (David Benoit featuring Vincent Ingala) — 3 David Benoit and Friends 2020 "Feel It Still" — 11 2022 "A Midnight Rendezvous" — 13 A Midnight Rendezvous 2024 "Savannah Dream (Sophie's Song)" — 3 Timeless 2026 "Boarding Pass" (David Benoit & Jeff Lorber) — 20 TBA "—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

## References

- Some of this article comes from the [Japanese-language article](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%87%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%83%89%E3%83%BB%E3%83%99%E3%83%8E%E3%83%AF) (accessed on April 8, 2006).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [\[1\]](http://www.benoit.com/pr/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110117154234/http://www.benoit.com/pr/) January 17, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["December 12 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: David Benoit, the Peanuts and the Spirit of Christmas"](https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2024/12/10/december-12-vallejo-vacaville-arts-and-entertainment-source-david-benoit-the-peanuts-and-the-spirit-of-christmas/). *Times Herald Online*. 2024-12-11. Retrieved 2025-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["David Benoit"](https://longbeachsymphony.org/musicians/david-benoit/). *Long Beach Symphony*. Retrieved 2025-02-09.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-New_Grove_4-0)** Gilbert, Mark (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). *The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz*. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 191. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-56159-284-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-56159-284-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Yanow_5-0)** Yanow, Scott. ["David Benoit"](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-benoit-mn0000635760/biography). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 26 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MCHSalumni_6-0)** ["Hall Of Fame | Mira Costa High School Alumni"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221013114344/https://miracostaalumni.com/hall-of-fame/). *miracostaalumni.com*. 11 October 2019. Archived from [the original](https://miracostaalumni.com/hall-of-fame/) on 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2020-01-22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Allmusic-DB-Charts_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Allmusic-DB-Charts_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Allmusic-DB-Charts_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Allmusic-DB-Charts_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Allmusic-DB-Charts_7-4) David Benoit. - Charts & Awards: [Billboard Albums](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p55926). - [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). - Retrieved: 2008-07-20

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Josef Woodard (April 8, 1993). ["Dont Worry, Play Happy Jazz : David Benoit is sure to draw heavily on his latest album, 'Letter to Evan,' when he performs in Ventura on Saturday"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-04-08-vl-20674-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["David Benoit Biography"](http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/composer/composer_main.asp?composerid=18537&ttype=BIOGRAPHY&ttitle=Biography). Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Allmusic-DB-disco_10-0)** David Benoit. - Discography: [Main Albums](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p55926). - [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic). - Retrieved: 2008-07-20

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Pianist David Benoit to host morning show at jazz station KKJZ-FM"](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/04/pianist-david-benoit-to-host-morning-show-at-jazz-station-kkjz-fm.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. 27 April 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["David Benoit: Billboard 200"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/tlp/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["David Benoit: Top Album Sales"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/tsl/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["David Benoit: Jazz Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/jls/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["David Benoit: Contemporary Jazz Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/jcr/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["David Benoit: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/blp/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["David Benoit: Traditional Jazz Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/jlp/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["David Benoit: Top Current Album Sales"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/tcl/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["David Benoit: Independent Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/ind/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["David Benoit: Top Holiday Albums"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/xml/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["David Benoit: Adult Contemporary"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/asi/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["David Benoit: Smooth Jazz Airplay"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-benoit/chart-history/jsi/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

## External links

- [Official Website](http://www.davidbenoitmusic.com/)

- [Complete discography](https://music-was-my-first-love.com/davidbenoit)

- [David Benoit @ Boosey & Hawkes](http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/composer/composer_main.asp?composerid=18537&ttype=BIOGRAPHY&ttitle=Biography)

v t e David Benoit Studio albums This Side Up Freedom At Midnight Every Step of the Way Urban Daydreams Waiting for Spring Inner Motion Shadows Letter to Evan Shaken Not Stirred Remembering Christmas American Landscape Professional Dreamer Here's to You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years! Fuzzy Logic Right Here, Right Now Orchestral Stories Full Circle Heroes Earthglow Conversation Compilation albums The Best of David Benoit 1987–1995 Collaboration albums The Benoit/Freeman Project The Benoit/Freeman Project 2 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas Jazz for Peanuts

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Netherlands Poland Academics CiNii Artists MusicBrainz Grammy Awards People Deutsche Biographie Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Benoit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Benoit) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Benoit?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.