Jason Bentley (born July 27, 1970) is an American radiodisc jockey ofelectronic music inLos Angeles, California. On December 1, 2008, Bentley replacedNic Harcourt as the host ofMorning Becomes Eclectic and as Music Director forKCRW.[1] Previously he had hosted two radio programs:Afterhours onKROQ-FM, andMetropolis onKCRW, the latter for 16 years until November 28, 2008.[2] Bentley and KCRW revived Metropolis in 2013; the show currently airs Saturdays in the 8PM to 10 PM slot.[3]
Bentley's family moved from Boston'sJamaica Plain neighborhood toSanta Monica when he was 13.[4]
Jason began his career atKCRW as a phone volunteer in July 1988. Jason later attendedLoyola Marymount University and worked as a DJ at their college stationKXLU. He was recruited by former KCRW Music DirectorChris Douridas after a softball game between the two stations in 1991 and he began working at KCRW on-air starting in the summer of 1992.
In 1995 Bentley co-founded the influential Los Angeles club night "bossa:nova" with Bruno Guez, and George Ghiz. The club began life as an extension of the record labelQuango Music Group, an imprint onIsland Records, and hosted many well-known DJs from around the world, includingDaft Punk,Groove Armada,Kruder & Dorfmeister,Lazy Dog, andGilles Peterson. Bentley remained a part of the regular "bossa:nova" night until the end of its run in 2008.[5]
In 2004, Bentley was part of a group that successfully lobbied theRecording Academy to add aBest Electronic/Dance Album category to theGrammy Awards.[6][7]
Bentley collaborated with other artists on remixes, such asEgo Tripping at the Gates of Hell byThe Flaming Lips.
He also coordinated music for all threeMatrix films, as well asThe Animatrix, Matrixvideo game titles and the filmTron:Legacy.[8] Other films that include his music credits includeCity of Industry,The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury,Green Street Hooligans,Shooting Gallery, andDOA: Dead or Alive.[8] In the video game field, he has worked onFull Spectrum Warrior,Destroy All Humans!,[9] andThe Matrix: Path of Neo.[8]
Bentley appeared onSeason 5 ofTop Chef Masters as a judge of the Quickfire competition held inEpisode 4.
On June 13, 2019, Bentley announced that he is relinquishing his duties as KCRW's Music Director and host ofMorning Becomes Eclectic after 10 years on August 30 (2019), but will continue hosting the station's mix showMetropolis on Saturday nights.[10]
Celebrated DJ and Matrix music supervisor will remix '50s standards to accompany THQ's alien-invasion game.
