Home schooler in Grammy band

By Eli Bennett

"I want God to be honoured in everything I do," says rising Vancouver sax player Eli Bennett - pictured here with jazz great Herbie Hancock.

"Daryl and Betty Reproductions are pleased to announce the signing of their first recording artist: Eli Parker Bennett." Inside the card it read: "Although an immediate record release has not been scheduled, Eli will be rehearsing while his parents nurture and develop his career."

This was to prove to be a prophetic statement. My parents had no intention to push me into a career of music.

Fast forward to age 11. We had moved from Vancouver to Los Angeles. I was in my third year of home schooling when mom asked me if I was interested in playing alto saxophone, and joining a home school band.

When I played my first notes, I disliked the sound that came out. It wasn't the sax I heard on the records I had listened to.

Less than a year later, it was clear I had limited skills on the alto; so my dad gave me his old tenor sax to try.

I didn't notice a difference changing from alto to tenor, but still practiced it occasionally, having no real interest in playing.

When my family moved back to Vancouver the summer I'd finished grade 7, I joined a jazz band at a local public school, and began to take interest in tenor sax, sometimes practicing anywhere from three to five hours a day, in addition to taking lessons.

Within three years of dedicated practicing, I won the Rico Reed Award for the best student saxophonist in Canada at Musicfest Canada in May 2005. Later that year, I was invited by the Grammy Foundation to the 48th annual Grammy Awards - to play in the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble, an 18-piece band of the best high school jazz musicians on the continent.

Last year, I also had the privilege of performing with Canada's own jazz piano legend, Oscar Peterson.

Home schooling - online, through Heritage Christian School in Kelowna - not only provided me flexibility to be able dedicate myself to sax practice, but also gave me a unique ability to study Christian material and apply Christian principles to daily living.

I grew up in church, accepting Jesus into my life as my Lord and Saviour at age five. At 16, I felt led to attend a church closer to home. I attended an Alpha Course at the Coastal Church in downtown Van-couver, led by pastors Dave and Cheryl Koop. This led to my decision to be baptized. I'm currently taking the Equipping Bases course so I can minister musically at the church.

Even though my life has had its ups and downs, I realize how important it is to follow the Lord and listen to what he is speaking to me. I want God to be honoured in everything I do.

The Grammy Foundation has selected me as the first horn player to perform in their Combo, making it a quartet during the 49th Grammy Awards week in Los Angeles.

February 2007