David Benoit is an American musician best known for playing Pianist and composer for the album This Side Up.
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Best Known For:The album This Side Up
Breakthrough:Began working as musical director for Lainie Kazan in 1976
10 Quick Facts About David Benoit
- Full Name: David Benoit
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Entertainer
- Known For: The album This Side Up
- Date of Birth: August 18, 1953
- Age: 73 years old
- Place of Birth: Bakersfield, California
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Kei Benoit
- Children: June Koko
David Benoit Age
David Benoit is about 73 years old as of 2026. David Benoit was born in 1953.
Education
His educational background includes studies at Mira Costa High School, El Camino College, and other institutions.
- Mira Costa High School
- El Camino College
- Field of Study: Music theory, composition and orchestration
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Field of Study: Film scoring
Career & Work
David Benoit's career includes acting and entertainment roles with GRP Records and AVI Records.
Role: Contemporary-jazz pianist and composer
Period: 1977–Present
Details: United States and international
Role: Film and television composer
Period: 1990s–
Details: United States
Organization: GRP Records
Role: Recording artist
Period: 1980s–1990s
Details: United States · Released influential albums including Freedom at Midnight, Every Step of the Way, Waiting for Spring and Shadows.
Organization: AVI Records
Role: Recording artist
Period: 1977–1984
Details: United States · Released early contemporary-jazz recordings and developed his solo career.
Role: Musical director and conductor
Period: 1976–
Details: United States
Organization: Asia America Symphony Association
Role: Music director and conductor
Details: Southern California · Conducts orchestral performances and works on classical and jazz programming.
Rise to Fame
David Benoit rose to prominence for his role for the album This Side Up.
Notable Works
Notable screen roles include The Stars Fell on Henrietta, The Christmas Tree, and This Side Up.
Film
- Film: The Stars Fell on Henrietta (Composer, 1995) — Feature-film score
- Film: The Christmas Tree (Composer, 1996) — Television-film score
- Work: This Side Up (Pianist and composer, 1985) — Important early contemporary-jazz recording
- Work: Freedom at Midnight (Pianist and recording artist, 1987) — Influential GRP album
- Work: Every Step of the Way (Pianist and composer, 1988) — Grammy-nominated recording
- Work: Waiting for Spring (Pianist and composer, 1989) — Successful contemporary-jazz album
- Work: Shadows (Pianist and composer, 1991) — Contemporary-jazz recording
- Work: Letter to Evan (Pianist, 1992) — Tribute to jazz pianist Bill Evans
Awards & Achievements
- Best Contemporary Jazz Performance nomination — Grammy Awards — 1989 — Every Step of the Way
- Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance nomination — Grammy Awards — GRP All-Star Big Band
- Best Instrumental Composition nomination — Grammy Awards — 2000 — Dad's Room
- Keyboard Player of the Year — Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards — 2000 — Contemporary-jazz keyboard performance
- Keyboard Player of the Year — Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards — 2001 — Contemporary-jazz keyboard performance
- Excellence in Music Award — Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation — 2001 — Music and educational contribution
David Benoit Family & Relationships
David Benoit is married to Kei Benoit. He has 1 child, June Koko.
- Children:
- June Koko
Lesser Known Facts
- Benoit studied piano with Marya Cressy Wright and later developed orchestration and conducting skills.
- His work on Peanuts productions reflects a longstanding interest in Vince Guaraldi's music.
- He conducted Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2008.
Personal Information
- Full Name: David Benoit
- Popular As: David Bryan Benoit
- Gender: Male
- Occupation: Entertainer
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: August 18, 1953
- Age: 73
- Birthday: August 18
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Place of Birth: Bakersfield, California
Family & Relationships
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse / Partner: Kei Benoit
- Children: June Koko
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $69,000–$619,000 (Estimated range)
- Net Worth: $453,000–$11,313,000 (Estimated range)
- Source of Income: Performances, recordings and potentially royalties
Related Biographies
- Russ Freeman (Collaborator • Collaborated on The Benoit/Freeman Project and its sequel.)
- Vince Guaraldi (Musical influence whose Peanuts compositions Benoit has interpreted.)
- Lainie Kazan(Collaborator • Benoit served as her musical director and conductor.)
