Born in New Hampshire and raised in Long Island, percussionist Ben
Bynum became involved with music at a young age. He briefly studied
violin and piano early on, but at age 10 discovered his love for the
drums.
He quickly began playing with local rock groups and subbed
for wedding bands. By the age of 14 he was also playing percussion with
local orchestras. At 17 he had his first performance in Carnegie Hall
as the principal timpanist of the New York Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Around this time Bynum also attended the Juilliard School preparatory
division, the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival, the New York All-State
Symphony Orchestra, and several other prestigious institutions.
After high school, Ben attended the New England
Conservatory of Music in Boston where he studied classical percussion
under Will Hudgins. After one year, he transferred to SUNY Stony Brook
where he also minored in piano, studied conducting, and became more
active as a jazz and studio drummer. It was at this time that Bynum
started to perform regularly with such legendary musicians as bassist
Bakithi Kumalo, trombonist Ray Anderson, and vibraphonist Teddy
Charles.
After graduating in 2005, Bynum moved to New York City to
continue his career as a freelance drummer, percussionist and educator.
He has since been performing locally and abroad with various NYC groups. Ben has also been teaching privately and in masterclasses through out the Tri-state area. Personal teachers and mentors include Jack Snyder,
Paul Vaillancourt, Jeff Milarsky, and Ari Hoenig. His parents aren't
too bad either!