Ed Bennett has long been considered one of the West Coast’s premiere string bass players. Currently living in Portland, Oregon since 1990, Ed’s work has taken him virtually everywhere in the world.
He has worked with, toured internationally, or recorded with many legendary jazz figures, including: Dizzy Gillespie, Curtis Fuller, Terell Stafford, Claudio Roditi, Jeremy Pelt, Joe Henderson, Sonny Stitt, Benny Golson, Frank Morgan, Richie Cole, Pete Christlieb, Bud Shank, Charles McPherson, Hadley Caliman, Bobby Watson, Pete Jolly, Don Abney, Joe Albany, James Williams, Mike Wofford, Pete Malinverni, Bill Mays, Dick Berk, Larance Marable, Joey Baron, Chuck Redd, Bill Henderson, Anita O’Day, Ernistine Anderson, Marlena Shaw, Nancy King, Karrin Allyson, Mary Stallings, Dee Daniels, The Modernaires, Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabakin Big Band and the Gerald Wilson Orchestra.
In 1974, Ed toured with Jimmy Witherspoon. From 1976 to 1979 he backed Carmen McRae, making his recording debut on "Carmen McRae at the Great American Music Hall" in San Francisco which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1977. In 1981, he worked with the Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band, recording the Grammy- nominated “Tanuki’s Night Out”.