 He began music studies on clarinet while attending Elementary School, switching to drums at age thirteen, Bennington's experience has come from private study, marching and concert bands both middle and high school, work as a sideman, and as a band leader with his group, "Colour and Sound".Early musical experiences include participation in several jazz and blues sessions in Texas (late 1980s and early 1990s).Bennington studied with Elvin Jones ten years beginning in 1994 and served as band manager / drum tech, from 2000–2002 (tours U.S. and Europe).