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Alvino Bennett

PERFORMS WITH: Dave Mason



About the Artist

Born in Chicago, Alvino began playing drums at 10 years old with the William Penn Elementary School drum and bugle corps. Soon after, he started playing for various local bands. At fourteen, he began traveling the country, working the club circuit.

He was spotted in a club at age 17 and approached by blues legend, KoKo Taylor, to lend his talent. At the same time, many other blues and R&B luminaries began to call on him for his talent. These stars included: Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Cash McCall, and Mighty Joe Young just to name a few.

In 1974, Alvino got a call call to tour with the late great songstress, Minnie Ripperton. This tour opened the doors for many other projects, such as working with Gong Show Guest, Jaye P. Morgan and the vocal group "The Originals". In addition, Alvino also worked with the family singing group, "The Sylvers". This, in turn, led to many Motown and other recording sessions.

Alvino hit on one of the biggest projects of his career in 1978, which was the million selling R&B band, "L.T.D.", of which he was a member for 5 years. Alvino quickly became a highly sought after "in demand drummer" for such stars as Cheryl Lynn, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Loggins, Bryan Ferry, Robin Trower, Sheena Easton, Little Richard, Slash's Blues Ball, Patrice Rushen, Little Richard, Bo Diddley and many more.

In 2003, while playing a local gig near his home in So. California, Bill Mason from Dave Mason's band stopped by to "sit in" with Alvino and friends. The two exchanged numbers and became friends. Within a few months, a spot was open for drums with the Dave Mason Band. Alvino has been an integral part of the band ever since!!

Gretsch USA Custom

Hand-crafted every step of the way

The epitome and legend of "That Great Gretsch Sound." The USA Custom series is hand-crafted every step of the way in our Ridgeland, SC factory by highly experienced and skilled drumsmiths. Our legendary Gretsch formula 6-ply shell is the cornerstone of our legendary sound. Shells are completed with 30-degree bearing edges, Silver Sealer, die-cast hoops and custom finishes - ingredients all combined to make a sound long recognized for its classic clear timbre, balanced tone and explosive projection. Custom design your Gretsch dream kit "a la cart" by choosing your desired drum sizes, colors and hardware options. The Gretsch legend continues.

The NEW Gretsch USA Custom Order Guide will explain the many options that are available to help you design a drum set that matches your individual voice as a drummer.

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Catalina Maple

Carefully developed to produce tones that explode a balanced amount of warm low end frequencies

The Catalina Maple series starts with the Gretsch maple formula shell. We carefully developed the maple shell specification to produce tones that explode with attack and volume and project a balanced amount of warm, low-end frequencies. All Catalina Maple shells are 7-ply, 7.2mm.

The Catalina Maples are available in two configurations - a 6-piece shell pack set and a 5-piece shell pack set. Add-on drums are also available to allow for further drum set expansion.

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