John Benoit

John Benoit teaches music theory and general music courses, studio trombone, and brass chamber ensembles. In addition, he has previously served as the Chair of the Music Department as well as chair of the Division of Visual and Performing Arts.

Benoit is an active jazz performer (trombone and piano), composer/arranger, and band leader. He researches American jazz and popular music of the early 20th-century with a particular interest in Iowa‚ town bands, circuit Chautauqua performers, and the photoplay music that was written to accompany silent movies.

Ensemble Affiliations

Ballyhoo Foxtrot Orchestra, leader/arranger/trombonist

Foxtrot Hotshots, leader/arranger/pianist

Soya Vista Jazz Orchestra, leader/arranger/trombonist

Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, trombonist

Festival Brass Quintet, trombonist

YouTube Clips of Jazz Performances and Film Scores

Party Gras Classic Jazz Band, Cedar Basin Jazz Festival, June 2013, Bill Bailey‚

Des Moines Metro Dixieland Band, Music Under the Stars, July 2014, Sunday‚

Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, CD: Class’n Jazz, June 2015, Jig Dog

Foxtrot Hotshots, Noce (jazz club), November 2016, Nobody‚ Sweetheart‚

Silent movie score, Buster Keaton’s Sherlock, Jr. (45 min), music compiled, orchestrated, and digitally realized by Benoit, 2023

Silent movie score, Lois Weber’s Suspense (11 min), piano, music adapted and performed by Benoit, 2021

Ph.D., music theory, University of Texas at Austin, 1994

M.M., music theory, University of Texas at Austin, 1987

B.M., trombone performance, Louisiana State University, 1985

Community Jazz Center Special Recognition Award (2016) for activity as a performer, band leader, arranger, and jazz educator.