Ben Todd "NEW VIDEOS"

"Ben Todd began playing drums at the age of three. Initially taught by his father, Ben joined his first band when he was five years old. During his primary school years, he was a member of many concert bands and orchestras, taking him on his first interstate tour when he was eleven. After being accepted into special interest music school, Marryatville High, Ben then continued to perform with all of Marryatville’s senior ensembles in his first year. In 2003, Ben performed with the Marryatville High School Big Band One at the Generations in Jazz National Stage Band awards in which they took out first place. In 2004, Ben travelled to London, New York and Los Angeles to perform with Big Band One in which they performed at Disneyland, The Village Vangaurd and the Shrewsburry International Music Festival. It was also in 2004 that Ben won the “Best Under 16 Drummer in Australia” competition held in Melbourne. In 2005, Ben travelled to Columbus, Ohio with The Elder School of Music Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Jim Bailey to compete in the PASIC high school snare drum awards in which he placed 8th in the world. In January of this year, Ben attended the International Association of Jazz Educators in New York to once again perform with Big Band One. He also travelled to Los Angeles to perform at “G’Day, LA” week; an Australian representation in Los Angeles. It was hear that he also was able to attend NAMM and meet many of his drumming idols including Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi and Steve Gadd. In March of this year, Ben was accepted into the Elder School of Music Single Studies program under a full scholarship. Ben is currently a member of Mega-Funk Band, Goose, Latin-Jazz ensemble, Marmalade Circus and also leads his own funk band, JB Smak (www.myspace.com/jbsmak). Ben has also performed with James Morrison, Bob Mintzer, Rhonda Burchmore and Bobby Shew along with many others. Now endorsed by Pearl Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Audix Microphones, Ben has just completed his first instructional DVD for his sponsors entitled “Practice vs. Homework”.
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