Description:
Bruce Benson talks about life as a musician in Oklahoma City.
Sheldon Beach (SB): Today is December 7th, 2019. I'm Sheldon Beach with Metropolitan Library System. And I am here today with Bruce Benson.
Bruce Benson (BB): That's correct.
SB: Okay. Okay. And can you spell your name for me?
BB: B-R-U-C-E B-E-N-S-O-N
SB: And when and where were you born?
BB: Born 1956--October 26 in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
SB: And you were born here. How, how long has your family been in Oklahoma?
BB: As far as I know the research I did...went back to the 1900 census when my great-grandmother migrated here. We were descendants of the Mississippi Choctaw slaves, and from Alabama. And they came here during the, oh, I guess during the Land Run right before the Land Run.
SB: And how long have you been in this area? Have you—did you live in Guthrie growing up or did you live—
BB: Yeah, grew up in Langston, Oklahoma, was born in Guthrie, the closest hospital. Grew up in Langston and went to high school in Guthrie, which is about 12 miles west. So I've been here since, you know, 1956, Actually, my family grew up in a little small farm, north of Meridian, Oklahoma on highway 105, east of Guthrie. And when I was three years old, they moved to the big metropolis of Langston. Then so we were there from about 1959 until 1970, when we moved to Guthrie.
SB: What was that like growing up in that area?
BB: Oh, lots of agriculture. As a part-time jobs, we worked for local farmers picking cotton. I've been in the cotton field many times--in the sixties. We also picked watermelons. Of course, we did yard work. Growing up in Langston was a little bit different because it was not only an agricultural town, there's a university there. So, five blocks from my house was a university with more than a thousand students. And, and I got my, my, my, my alarm clock every morning was a band practicing. And, so it was always, a big part of my life being around Langston University.
SB: That ever make you want to join the band?
BB: Well, it made me want to get into music. I wasn't into the marching band. I was more into—if they could put a guitar in the marching band, I think I would probably be there, but I wasn't crazy about playing a horn. I liked drums, but, I liked playing sports more than I did the band. So I was always torn between the halftime [laughs] and the music and wanting to play football, but football won out.
SB: So what did you do after high school in Guthrie?
BB: Well I, in the back of my mind wanted to follow my brother's footsteps. He was a straight-A student, valedictorian, and he received a four-year Army ROTC scholarship and was going into the Army. He was two years older than me. He was captain of the drill team. And so he was sort of my mentor in high school. So that was in the back of my mind, kind of want to be in the military. And I did that. I, you know, I was in ROTC in high school and right after high school, I went to New Mexico Military Institute. It’s a two-year military school in Roswell, New Mexico. I wasn't smart enough to receive that four-year scholarship, like my brother, uh, but I still wanted to become an officer in the military. So I did that. I sort of had a plan A, plan B, a plan C. The plan A was of course I wanted to be a journalist. I kind of wanted to be a writer or a broadcaster. Plan B was football, love football. And plan C was the military. I always looked at—never, never looked at music as a career--it was always more of a hobby, just something to do. And, I didn't really want—I didn't get into sharing my music at that time with anybody. It was more of a personal thing, something we did at church.
SB: When did you start doing music in front of people? When did you start playing, playing out?
BB: Okay. This, this, we always played in our yards to entertain each other, but this is when it really hit me. It was Black Heritage Week at Guthrie High School. And I was the senior class vice president and was kind of a leader I later learned. I didn't really realize how much that was, that meant, but they asked me to do something for Black Heritage Week in front of the whole student body, I mean. You know, before then I’d sang at church and then that's different than singing in front of your friends, especially in high school. So, I decided to bring my electric guitar to school in the gymnasium in front of hundreds of my peers. And I did the “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is properly known as the Negro national anthem or the Black national anthem. And I did that solo in front of my classmates. Terrified. Knees shaking. Could barely play the chords on the guitar, but I got through it. And my classmates’ response was amazing. You could hear a pin drop, and some of our friends stood up in the audience—and I don't know if you've seen the picture of the Olympic stars that won the Olympics back in the sixties and they stood up and they held their fist up—that's what they did, blew me away. So that's when it hit me. I liked performing. I like sharing at that point. I didn't necessarily like the glamor and the arrogance. I just like sharing what I hear and my interpretation of music and that's, that's still what I enjoy.
SB: How long were you in the military?
BB: All together about 14 years. I, um—when you get in, enroll in the army ROTC program, you are just like a private in the Reserves. So,we started in, uh, in 1974 and I stayed in until approximately 1989, I believe. I, I was a member of a Reserve unit and a National Guard unit, long enough to be promoted to First Lieutenant, and I retired as a captain in ’89, something like that.
SB: And at what point did you come back to the Oklahoma City Metro area?
BB: Let’s see… This was after graduate school. I really—after I left to get married and came back—what year was that?—probably the year my daughter was born, about 1984. And, we came back and actually lived in Stillwater for a while and then moved back to Oklahoma City.
SB: And what part of Oklahoma City did you live in?
BB: Almost every part [laughs]. I've lived, you know, northeast side, I've lived in northwest side, lived in Norman, lived on the south side. So I'm pretty familiar with Oklahoma City.
SB: Well, since a lot of this is about place and about kind of around where we are now, what are some of the memories you have from living in the northeast side?
BB: Oh…with churches. I mean, there's a lot to be said about, the economic challenges of the northeast side, but oh, Sunday morning and being a musician, I was always impressed by good choirs and good male chorus, quartet type singing. And so the church has really made an impression on me. Good preaching.
SB: Which church do you think has the best choir?
BB: Well, I'm, I'm sort of prejudiced, belonged to Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, until Pastor Woodbury passed away in, 2011, from 1995 to 2011. And, that was the best choir I have ever been a part of--some of the members are still there, unbelievable musicians. And we had a ball.
SB: Did you play music and sing in the choir?
BB: I played mostly. I rarely sang because there were so many other singers better than me--but, I played guitar mostly and did that for about 11 years.
SB: What was it about that choir that stands out to you?
BB: It was fun. We would go to rehearsal and the drummer, sometimes would never stop. Practice was like worship, and it didn't ever seem like work. Same thing with services. It was never boring and tedious and I enjoyed it.
SB: You play guitar quite a bit? Do you go out and play places outside of church now?
BB: Yes I do. I started out in high school. My mom was very, very religious. She never allowed us to play anything but gospel until she heard—thank God--Bill Withers put out an album and she heard “Grandma's Hands” and “Lean on Me.” And that was the first secular album we had at our house. And, so when I got out of the house, someone offered to pay me, and that's been a journey that...and they keep calling and I'll be 64 on my next birthday and extra day. Thank God. They're still calling.
SB: What do you like to play the most?
BB: You mean type of music or instrument?
SB: Both.
BB: I love improvisational jazz. I love being able to take, like I said, what I hear in a piece of music and adding my own twist to it. And improvisational jazz list allows you to do that.Yeah, you can, you never get bored. You're allowed to experiment and play different rhythms. And so that's what I like about, and that's always a challenge. Never play the same song the same way twice ever. It's always—I love the journey.
SB: And instrument, you mostly play the guitar?
BB: Yes. That's my main instrument. I used to play bass guitar on the first band I was in. But I just did that to fit in. Play a little bit of piano by ear. And my mom taught me a little bit out of plan and C and G. And I played a little bit for my church when I was a teenager. A little bit, just a little bit. I wish, you know, I knew how to play something else.
SB: And you're in a band now.
BB: Yes. The band that—it’s called Studio B, because it consists of musicians I use when I go to a studio. And so, I kind of have a plan B for the bass player. There's certain members that I have always been there. Delon Ellis has been my keyboard player since my first keyboard player passed away. Larry Banks passed away last year. He was my saxophone player for over 20 years. Right now I'm looking for a bass player. The band right now consists of just three people. My keyboard player, Delon Ellis, myself, and James Blackman on drums. When we need a saxophone player, I use Wayne—Wade Inman--a good saxophone player from Edmond. And when...one of the best bass players in Oklahoma City is Pete Wallace. And he's my bass player I always go to.
SB: Where all do you play usually?
BB: I have a weekly gig at Brent's Cajun Seafood and Oyster Bar, every Sunday for Sunday brunch: 12-3. I also play for a couple of churches, play for Paradise Baptist Church, three Sundays out of the month and St. Mark Baptist Church, on the third Sunday of every month. So that, that’s a lot of fun. And I also play about twice a month at Zannoti’s Wine Bar in Stillwater and periodically I’ll play at Othello's in Norman. Also Jazmo’s down in Bricktown. I do that, yeah, two or three times a year.
SB: So what's it like being a musician that plays regularly here in Oklahoma City?
BB: You know, it's surprisingly, surprisingly rewarding. I would never think I would be able to play my type of music, which, you know, I—they call it jazz. but I do, you know, I do “Tennessee Whiskey,” you know, in one of my sets. So, I play about all types of music in my style. So it's very surprising to me that my style goes over in Oklahoma, which is tradition—traditionally country, even though there was a lot of history of jazz here from, you know, from, back in the fifties. But right now I'm surprised Oklahoma kind of has a closet jazz culture, even though we don't have a jazz station right now--we need one. a lot of jazz fans here and, and you'd be surprised, a lot of R&B fans. One night, I did “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” six times by request. I mean, so, that's not necessarily jazz, but people like our delivery. So that's what we do.
SB: Do you have a favorite place to play around here?
BB: Hmm, good question. I would say it's well...Brent's of course the seafood and oyster bar in Edmond. great food, great atmosphere. The other places Jazmo’s in Brictown. They have a great, a great menu and you're right on the canal. Lots of tourists. It was a great place to play. Acoustics are great.
SB: What's your favorite thing about playing those places? They give you free food?
BB: Unfortunately, they don't, but the food is great. I like the response. Like I said, you, you, you can't judge a book by its cover. I'll look in the audience sometimes, and the people don't look like jazz fans, they don't look like me, but they'll come up and tip a 20 and say, “I love the way you did so-and-so” or whatever. So, it's so rewarding to, to be in contact with people that you wouldn't ordinarily speak to. You're able to touch them with music and it's, it's so rewarding.
SB: You said earlier that, you know, Oklahoma City has had in the past, had a history with jazz. Has any of that ever influenced you? You ever listened to like Charlie Christian or any of those?
BB: Always, always. You know, it's so fascinating. I love history and there's so much, especially Black history that's left out of the mainstream. So enlightenment is one of my favorite things to do for myself and others. There's so much that we could talk about in that area. So, but even with knowing that, what inspires me most, most is, is what God gives me inside. I mean, you can get inspiration from other artists. But what I hear in my heart and the fact that other people like it, man, it's a unbelievable high.
SB: Is there anything from that era you had before things were like they are now that you'd like to see again here in Oklahoma City? Cause I know like people like me I'm young enough I don't know what Deep Deuce was like back when it was, you know, jazz music. Now it's just expensive apartments.
BB: Yeah, well, I would like to see the live music become more routine. Right now, you know, you used to be able to walk around and just go from venue to venue and you could hear a different band. I mean, there may be 20 different bands playing in one neighborhood. Not so now, and then when you do find the bands they’re not always as good. So there's not as many venues to play. And I can understand it—there's a financial burden that these restaurants and bars have, but there's a population of musicians that are starving to play. And, I wish someone could figure out a way to tap into that.
SB: Are there any good places to play over here on the east side of town?
BB: You know, there's a—there's a—the Tree Lounge has been about the only one on the east side that has been consistent with live music. Also Elmore's uptown on Lincoln Boulevard has been pretty consistent. So I'm proud of what they're doing.
SB: Do you have any favorite memories from playing music or being on the road or doing anything like that? Anything you're willing to tell?
BB: Yeah, well, got to meet some neat people. I got to play for Danny Glover once. They did a banquet for him in his honor and,our band got to play out at Gaillardia for him. I had a chance to meet recently...oh, I can't think of his name… The country artist that has the bar in Bricktown…
SB: Toby Keith?
BB: Yeah. I was playing Othello’s, and I was singing “On and On”—Stephen Bishop's “On and On.” And I usually have my eyes closed when I'm singing lyrics, especially if I have to hit a high note, and I'm going on and on and singing, got my eyes closed and opened my eyes and there's this guy singing with me in my mic. And it's Toby Keith. So, anyway, I got to meet him; it was about a month ago. Real nice guy, took a picture with him. And got to meet some athletes. I've got to play in some really neat places. So of course I'm drawing a blank right now, but just being able to play with some great artists has been amazing.
SB: And your favorite place, people to play with? I'm assuming it's just whoever you're playing with right now, whoever you're playing with that night or—
BB: Well, right now, my keyboardist, Delon Ellis. He also plays at a couple of churches in town. Just a fantastic piano player. He's very good on a B3 organ. But he's one of Oklahoma city's best kept secrets. Just tasteful, and artistic. And I hope he stays with me for a long time.
SB: Now, if you were to have—if you had to say what your favorite thing is about being a musician, what would you say?
BB: There’s a—always a—well, even when you don't have gigs to play, you have an outlet for your emotions. I’ve always had a guitar sitting in the living room, an acoustic guitar, and the TV might be on, but my ears are playing and I'll pick it up anytime a day. So just being able to have a another way to express myself when I want to do it anytime. And you can curse people out and say bad words, but you can write a song that will last forever and mean a lot more. So just that it's another way of communication. And it crosses all language barriers. That's another reason I like jazz. You don't have to write lyrics. You can just write a melody and say sometimes more than a hundred pages of lyrics. And so it's an untapped power. Yeah, it's addicting. I'm addicted.
SB: Was there anything else you'd like to add? Anything, any memories you'd like to tell us about or anything?
BB: Oh, there's lots. There's so many. There's lots of memories. I really admire my gospel influences. I was that's where I learned how to put my soul in the music, rather than just do the song like you hear it on the radio. It's okay to develop your own style. And that's, that's, that's what is priceless to me.
SB: Well, thank you so much for taking the time to come down here and talk to us. I really appreciate it.
BB: My pleasure, my pleasure.
SB: And if, uh, we want to see you, maybe one of these days, we'll come up there for brunch.
BB: This Sunday, looking for you. Great food, great foods, [inaudible].
SB: Well, thank you so much for talking to us.