Happy Birthday David Benoit

Birthday wishes to pianist, composer and producer David Benoit who celebrates tomorrow, August 18.  David was born in Bakersfield, CA and grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.  He began studying piano when he was 13, eventually focusing on theory and composition at El Camino College and then taking film scoring classes at UCLA.  In 1976, he got his professional start as a Musical Director and conductor for Lainie Kazan, before taking on similar positions with singer/actresses Ann-Margaret and Connie Stevens.  David has worked with a wide variety of artists including Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, Brian McKnight and The Walt Disney Company.  His film scoring credits include Clint Eastwood's "The Stars Fell on Henrietta" and the Sally Field produced movie "The Christmas Tree."  Benoit recorded his latest album, Conversation, at Steinway Hall in Manhattan, the first jazz artist to ever record a full album in the legendary Hall.