About Ben
A U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Ireland (2022-23), Ghana (2017-18), and the Republic of Moldova (2005), Ben is a Professor of Music at California State University, Fresno. His Origin Records album with U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine, “The Poetry of Jazz,” was voted #3 “Best Album of 2018” in DownBeat Magazine’s 83rd Annual Readers Poll, featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and hailed in literary and music journals as of “historic importance” (UK Vibe). His latest album, “Caught in the Rhythm,” features jazz icons Ambrose Akinmusire, Greg Osby, Kenny Werner, Ben Monder, Ari Hoenig, Corcoran Holt, etc. alongside poets Kimiko Hahn, Faylita Hicks, Edward Hirsch, T.R. Hummer, Tyehimba Jess, and Patrick Sylvain.
Latest Album
FEATURED JAZZ VIDEO
“Monkette” from CONFLUENCE: THE IRELAND SESSIONS
FEATURED CLASSICAL VIDEO
“WATERLESS MUSIC: A DROUGHT SYMPHONY” for Orchestra, Recorded Narration, and Water
News
- “Munro Review” in-depth interview about THE POETRY OF JAZZ, Vol 2
- Read T.R. Hummer’s brilliant scholarly essay on “THE POETRY OF JAZZ” in “Blackbird”
- “The Poetry of Jazz” listed as one of the “Best Albums of 2018” in Downbeat
- “The Poetry of Jazz” #3 “Jazz Album of the Year” in Downbeat’s 83rd Readers Poll
- NPR’s “All Things Considered” feature on THE POETRY OF JAZZ
Featured Video
“In The Twilight” (feat. JaYne) from CONFLUENCE: THE IRELAND SESSIONS