For the past decade Ben has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Brazil with his groups Man Size Safe, Peace Pipe, and Medicine Wheel
winning fans and building new audiences with an adventurous yet accessible sound and a flair for the unexpected.Called “one of today’s best young jazz musicians” by the Boston Globe, Ben has released eight albums of original m...
For the past decade Ben has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, Europe, and Brazil with his groups Man Size Safe, Peace Pipe, and Medicine Wheel
winning fans and building new audiences with an adventurous yet accessible sound and a flair for the unexpected.
Called “one of today’s best young jazz musicians” by the Boston Globe, Ben has released eight albums of original music — Little Things Run the World (2008), CowboyJustice (2006), Buzz (2004), Peace Pipe (2002), Riding the Nuclear Tiger (2001), Third Eye (1999), and Medicine Wheel (1998) on Palmetto Records, and his 1996 debut Seven Arrows on the Koch Jazz label — all of which showcase Ben's forward-thinking vision as a
producer, composer, arranger, and bassist, and his hands-on approach to his craft.
Cited in the “Bassist” category of the 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 Downbeat Readers’ Poll, Ben’s work has not gone unnoticed by the press. Since 2003 Ben has been routinely listed in the Downbeat Critics Poll in an extremely wide variety of categories including "Bassist,” “Composer,” “Rising Star Bassist,” (ranking #1 in 2005, 2006 and 2007), "Rising Star Album," "Rising Star Acoustic Group," "Rising Star Arranger," and "Rising Star Jazz Artist," all of which is a testament to his dedication as a musician.
“I see the the whole process — from assembling a band, writing and work-shopping the music, recording and
mastering the album, doing the artwork and writing the notes, and then touring the project — to be all part of the process of musical expression.” says Ben. “I enjoy every step as they all demand a certain kind of positive energy. And I get to collaborate with a wide range of very creative people.”
Ben’s most recent album Little Things Run the World, reached #1 on the CMJ National Jazz radio charts and remained in the top 20 for over four months. His previous five albums, achieved similar radio success, being among the most played albums of the years in which they were released, garnering him 6 SESAC National
Performance Awards, and have been named as among the best of the year by publications such as Billboard, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, Jazz Times, Jazz Journalists Association,Downbeat Critics Poll, All About Jazz, Coda (Canada), and Jazz Review (UK), among many others.
