And then there was Black Benny, the drummer--six foot six--nothing but muscle. […] Black Benny was a great drummer. He had an African beat. He was something to see on the street with his bass drum that looked like a snare drum in front. You'd have to ask all the drummers how he did it, but he could move a whole band with just that bass drum. All the drummers could do it, but he had the reputation for being best at it. Everybody in New Orleans--for it was a very competitive city--had the reputation for doing something best.