Benny Barth

Benny Barth – (b. Indianapolis, February 16, 1929 - ) – Drummer. A student at Indy’s Shortridge High School and a regular on the Indiana Avenue scene, Barth headed for the West Coast following graduation from Butler University. Closely associated with trumpeter Conte Candoli (also a Hoosier) and pianist Lennie Niehaus, Barth did his share of L.A. session work for jazz albums and movie soundtracks. From 1957 to 1961, he was a member of Mastersounds with Buddy Montgomery (vibraphone) and Monk Montgomery (bass) and Rich Crabtree (piano). In more recent years, he has distinguished himself as a leading drummer in the San Francisco Bay area, where he picked up the nickname “The Silver Fox.” For three years, he was the house drummer at San Francisco’s Hungi I. Among his many recordings with World Pacific is the high-selling Drums on Fire, which featured Barth, Art Blakey, and Chico Hamilton. In addition, his discography includes recordings with Mastersounds, Wes Montgomery, Joe Venuti, Ben Webster, Jimmy Witherspoon, Pearl Bailey, Joe Williams, and Mel Torme. Lastly, he played on several of the original recordings of Vincent Guaraldi’s music for the Peanuts cartoons.