Joshua Bennett, 16, first began playing the electric bass in sixth grade, eventually adding upright bass in 10th grade. His brother, who Bennett calls his role model, was playing cello which inspired the move musically.

“I decided I didn’t want to play the cello,” Bennett said. “But it did inspire me to take up bass. I just loved the distinctive low tone and sound.”

Through his years at Woodside Middle School and Homestead High, Bennett continues to develop his chops, playing in jazz band since seventh grade. He has studied with Brad Watkins and Tim Beeler, and Bennett has also formed his own band, Jazz Knot. 

Bennett recalled his favorite memory of playing with the band.

“It was our last gig before our drummer joined the Marines,” he said. “We’d played together for two years, and it was an awesome gig. It was sad but fun to play with someone and feel the connection we had with each other.”

That story is telling since Bennett’s dream for the future is to become a studio musician. 

Although he favors jazz, he also loves funk and pop and looks forward to playing with a variety of musicians, making more of those connections along the way.

“Studio musicians have so many opportunities to play with multiple artists and all different styles of music,” he said. “I just think that would be great.”