Reaching into the mind of Warren Benbow....
Jaijai: How did the concept of L.A. Odyssey come into fruition?

Warren: L.A. Odyssey is the brainchild of my son Kenn Michael. Kenn, my daughter Kia and I were at Kenn's studio in L.A as his compositions took shape. As the tracks were recorded we would get in the car and go for a drive to listen to playbacks. Going through the canyons we placed the songs in order to take the listener on a musical journey... Odyssey. I think it's great to listen to while on a long drive...

Jaijai: I understand you are working on a new project, can you give us an idea of what's to come?

Warren: Yes, I am working on a project with the working title "Green Music." I'm using drum beats and different world music styles to create a healing, joyful and contemplative listening atomosphere for the listener. Just as doctors heal, teachers heal, holy men and women heal; the musician also adds to the healing process through music. I seek to do this by hitting people in the heartbeat with my drumbeats... Ha!

Jaijai: What genre of music would you call this project?

Warren: If labeled, this music would be under the catagories of World music, New Age or maybe Fusion; for it's concept and the fusing of feelings and emotions utilizing musicians with diverse musical backgrounds and who have big ears for different styles of music.

Jaijai: You have been all over the world many times, playing all genres of music, what do you recall as your greatest musical moment?

Warren: There have been many, but one that cleary stands out is when "Odyssey- the Band James "Blood" Ulmer, Charles Burnham, and I opened up for the Miles Davis band in Warsaw, Poland at the Jazz Jamboree.

Jaijai: I know you believe that music can heal, what is your musical purpose and how does it equate to healing?

Music changes as the world changes. In fact, music can help in change and should have a role in creating peace with one another. As a drummer it's not as easy but there is a way to create an energy and a pulse that can help change. Music can help in making people feel happy, to fall in love, to create fond memories, to fulfill our purposes in life. Music makes people feel better; to dance, to sing can stir emotions that can transform lives.

Jaijai: I heard through the grapevine that you co-wrote a "funk opera" with Billy "Spaceman" Patterson, can you elaborate on that a little and where do you see it presented?

Warren: Ha! Word gets around doesn't it. That's an old story, but true. Billy and I have been friends since we were kids and together we composed a "Funk" opera. Poet/writer Jonnie Sola Roberts came up with the story line based on the songs Spaceman and I wrote. It's about two couples in a funk band on tour, who eventually end up in a ghost town. Sort of like "Scobby-Doo" without the dog...ha! I see it for film but it would also make a great cartoon.

Jaijai: As an educator and after all you've experienced on your musical journey, what is it that you'd like to impart to the younger musical mind?

Warren: That you as a human being are different in some way from anyone else and you can create your own musical "sound." You can listen to all musical styles, have favorite musicians and put this all in a big pot called "your mind." Mix it all up in a gumbo and come out with a style of your own. Just a little bit different. Just a bit your own...

Jaijai: What is it that you would like to accomplish in your career at this time?

Ha! That's a big question. Rickie Byars Beckwith just asked me that the other day. Answer? Everything? Think that's a bit too much? Haa!

Jaijai: Warren, you are quite the 'all around musician', skilled in all genres of music, ever-growing, evergreen...you have played with the best in jazz, blues, pop, hip-hop..list goes on and on. You are even an actor with some notable credits! Coming from a musical family myself, I can appreciate you working with your talented son Kenn Michael (actor, director, producer, filmaker and composer) mixing your life experience with new attitudes of thought through his eyes and ears. You also have a very talented daughter Kia Michelle, dancer, actress, singer... Sounds like you've been mentoring your own clan for years for talent runs through the veins of your family :-) Very inspiring at best!

Warren, Kenn Michael and Kia Michelle
The Jazz Network looks forward to hear how you will conclude the mix of all you are in your current "Green" project... its an honor to have a moment with you on your musical journey, to learn about how you think, what you bring to your music through your own life experiences, as well as the educational wisdom that you offer to the new-up-and-comers. We thank you for your wide-vision and musical rhythms of heart and what you've brought to us musically for years.

Blessings!!Jaijai