Hailing from McComb, Mississippi, Benn's early musical experiences came from singing in the choir of St. Pauls United Methodist Church, and the R&B, Soul and Blues music that was prevalent in the area. Choral music from school choirs and Broadway tunes from school musicals also played a part in his early education. A move to the west coast provided the opportunity to combine this early training with extensive vocal training at Blue Bear School of Music. Private voice lessions with Razz Kennedy and Stephanie Bruce along with singing in groups for each, gave him the opportunity to develop his own style and encouragement to strike out on his on. At a recording workshop Benn met pianist Dave Austin and found the most important ingredient for success, a pianist that understood and was excited by what he was trying to do. The result was 1999's style defining "Retro Nouveau!", a recording of standards given new life through updated arrangements and voicings.
Using Retro Nouveau to audition for the Rainbolt Foundation's West Coast SF Cabaret Conference, Benn won one of the eighteen spots competed for by vocalist across the country, and gave him his first major appearance at SF's Plush Room.
Participation in the conference introduced Benn to the local cabaret community where he has been mentored by such Bay Area artist as Barry Lloyd, The Kitchenettes, collectively and Linda Kosut and Lua Hadar individually.
Performing in Wayne Sutton's SF Cabaret Competition gave Benn both finalist and runner up wins and introduced him to a wider audience.
He continues a winning combination of working with David Austin as arranger and musical director on subsequent CD's "My Romance" and "What Love Is!" and has finished recording the songs from his solo show "From Harlem To Beyond The Raimbow!" A 100th birthday tribute to Harold Arlen.
Benn has studied at The Berkeley JazzSchool and is a member of CabaretWest and has received vocal training and guidance from SF’s Razz Kennedy, and Stephanie Bruce, and master classes with Faith Winthrop, Wesla Whitfield, and NY’s Ellie Ellsworth.
He has recorded and performed with such Bay Area musicians as Jeff Neighbor and Mark Williams on Bass; Jim Zimmerman, Vince Lateano, Bob Scott,and Bob Blankenship on drums and percussion; Barry Lloyd, Larry O'leno, Gary Newman, Jason Martineau and Dave Austin on piano.
He has appeared on the stages of Piafs, Johnny Foley Irish Cellar, The Plush Room, Club Jazz Nouveau, Martuni's, Octavia Lounge, Larkspurs Variety Platter, and Steve Murray's Viva Variety.
He was in one of the first of the Kitchenette's New Stars Of The Purple Onion evenings and along with Kate Austi-Groen completed a year long run of hosting Song Of The Month Club at Martuni's.
Benn has also had his New York debut at the Triad as part of Linda Kosut's show supporting her award winning CD "Long As You're Living" Celebrating Oscar Brown Jr. to rave reviews.
He continues to pursue a career in the Bay Area and is available for private functions, weddings and receptions, as well as a studio vocalist having provided vocals for two of SF's up and coming youn talents recents releases.