Ben Perowsky
Encyclopedia
Ben Perowsky is a New York City
based drummer
, percussionist, composer
, arranger
and record producer
.
(now LaGuardia Arts). While playing drums in a high school jazz ensemble, Ben played with Dizzy Gillespie
and Jimmy Heath
. While growing up, he also played with his father, a well-known clarinetist, saxophonist and arranger. His mother, who worked with dance pioneer Charles Weidman
among other choreographers, also influenced Ben with her Sly Stone
and Stevie Wonder
record collection. This mixture of rock, blues, funk and jazz made an impression on Ben, who then saw opportunities for crossing genre barriers, and went on to incorporate this in his works.
Ben plays Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth
sticks exclusively.
. Among the many musicians he met were John Medeski
and Dave Fiucznski, who were studying at the nearby New England Conservatory.
Returning to New York City, Ben spent a brief year at Manhattan School of Music
. Soon after, he was hired by legendary saxophonist James Moody
. The following year, he went on tour with Rickie Lee Jones
double billing with Ray Charles
. In 1987, he worked regularly in NYC with guitarist Jeff Pevar
and keyboardist/bassist Morris Pleasure. Ben's freelance career soon began to blossom taking him all over the world with vibraphonist Roy Ayers
, with whom he also backed Tom Brown, and Lonnie Liston Smith
. Around this time Ben also worked with modern jazz team David Liebman and Richie Beirach
.
After playing regularly with Mike Stern
at the 55 Bar in 1990, saxophonist Bob Berg
hired Ben to tour and play on his next two records. Mike Stern's trio continued to tour and record throughout the early 90’s. At this time Ben also recorded with pianist/producer Jim Beard
, legendary baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber
and Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias
.
Concurrently, Ben began performing frequently at clubs in downtown NYC, becoming a mainstay at The Knitting Factory and later at Tonic. There he first worked with John Zorn
in an early line up of the band Masada with Marc Ribot
, as well as the band Spanish Fly with Marcus Rojas
, Steven Bernstein and David Tronzo
. He did a number of tours at this time with The Fertile Crescent, Chunk, and Wayne Horvitz
's The President. He also recorded two projects with John Cale
. Ben later played percussion in John Lurie
's Lounge Lizards and on the record Queen of All Ears.
and bassist Fima Ephron. This band became Lost Tribe with the final edition of saxophonist David Binney
and guitarist David Gilmore
. They immediately became a ground-breaking group in the NY’s club circuit, cutting through genres playing in rock and jazz clubs alike. In 1991 Ben met producer Walter Becker
(Steely Dan
) who asked Lost Tribe to record at his then studio in Maui, Hawaii. The Lost Tribe sound was a blend of various genres with dense harmony and dance rhythms. The band released three critically acclaimed records Lost Tribe, Soulfish, Many Lifetimes and toured extensively in the US and Europe. In addition to co-leading/ drumming in the band, Ben occasionally took on the role of rapper. Becker later had this rhythm section record on his first solo record.
The Ben Perowsky Trio was formed with Chris Speed
and Scott Colley
in 1996, Ben's first release as a leader in 1999 for Frank Perowsky's label JazzKey. One track on this release was placed by Hal Wilner in the 2006 film "Talladega Nights" during actor Sacha Baron Cohen
's entrance to a “redneck” bar.
Ben created his own label El Destructo Records and released two CDs. El Destructo: Volume I was created through a series billed as "Beatshop" early that winter. ”Beatshop” served as the workshop for a new sound Ben was developing with Glenn Patscha and Markus Lyons Miller. It was a blending of slow dub style improv with dark ambience and sparse vocals. El Destructo: Volume II Moodswing Orchestra, expands on this idea with the addition of four other instrumentalists and five vocalists.
In 2003, Ben produced a record called Bop on Pop for his father Frank with Sam Yahel on organ. Also in 2003, Ben produced a trio under his name for Tzadik
entitled Camp Songs. It was voted one of the top 50 CDs of 2003 in JazzTimes magazine. He appears on 7 other Tzadik releases to date.
The Ben Perowsky Quartet featuring Chris Speed
, Ted Reichman and Drew Gress
toured in Europe in 2005 and released Esopus Opus on Skirl records
2009. Red Cred, a new project featuring Speed, John Medeski
have also been performing regularly in the catskills since 2007, with NYC debut at Winterjazz festival 2011. Starting in 2009, along with musician/producer Danny Blume
, Ben prepares new music for his Moodswing Orchestra, playing disco inflected techno dance music, an improvised dance party with chance special guests including rapper extraordinaire TK Wonder.
, and Danny Blume
. In 1995, Ben joined the song writing team of Oren Bloedow
and Jennifer Charles
in their band Elysian Fields
. He recorded on five releases and played numerous tours with the band and its ever changing cast over the next 8 years.
In the 1990’s, The Knitting Factory became the stomping ground for new projects. Danny Blume
began a series called Liminal Lounge with DJ Olive
, spawning an electronica based band called Liminal, in which Ben played live and on record along with Christian Castagno. It was around this time that the phrase “Illbient
” came into being. There Ben also played with Steven Bernstein, Dave Douglas, Don Byron
, and the Ben Perowsky Trio.
In 2002, Ben began working with song writer Joan Wasser
. They played as a duo for a year before the band Joan as Police Woman was formed with the addition of Rainy Orteca. After three years of live performance and working on Joan's new material, an EP was recorded with producer Brice Goggin, another of Ben's High School of Music and Art schoolmates. The full-length release Real Life was met with much success in the US, UK and Europe. Ben appears in the video for the song “Eternal Flame” and on two songs from Joan's 2008 release "To Survive."
In 1995, Ben also began playing with 101 Crustaceans with bandleader Ed Pastorini. Salon.com
wrote, “The stock listings phrase that when a particular band plays ‘some of the best musicians in town take to the stage’ is actually true in the case of Ed Pastorini's 101 Crustaceans, the ‘town’ in this instance being New York City. And here's a line . . . to follow it: The rest of them are in the audience.” Other players include guitarist Indigo Street and bassist Oren Bloedow
.
's "Play," with guests Bill Frisell
and John Scofield
. He then toured extensively in Scofield's band for most of 2000. In 2002, the Uri Caine
trio began touring and recording. A live record was made at the famous basement jazz club The Village Vanguard. Ben still currently tours and records with Uri Caine
in a number of his projects regularly. On a notable recording session in 2003, Ben was found in the company of jazz legends led by composer /arranger Tom McIntosh
with Benny Golson
, James Moody
, Buster Williams
, Kenny Barron
and Richard Davis.
Ben continues to be active among improvisers and song writers. From 2003 to present Ben has appeared on records and/or tours with Clem Snide
, Kaki King
, Dave Derby
, Jamie Saft
, Nels Andrews
, Adam Levy
, Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Michael Blake
, Trey Anastasio
, Lizz Wright
and The Wood Brothers
. Recently, Ben recorded with Welsh singer Katell Keineg
, Antony and the Johnsons
, and appears on the disco hit single “Blind
” by the band Hercules and Love Affair
.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, percussionist, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Biography
Exposed early on to jazz from his parents, Frank and Ginger Perowsky, and teacher Bobby Thomas, as well as rock and roll from his older brother Ricky, Ben watched the great musicians playing at that time in New York City. He attended The High School of Music and Art in HarlemHarlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
(now LaGuardia Arts). While playing drums in a high school jazz ensemble, Ben played with Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
and Jimmy Heath
Jimmy Heath
James Edward Heath , nicknamed Little Bird, is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger. He is the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath.-Biography:...
. While growing up, he also played with his father, a well-known clarinetist, saxophonist and arranger. His mother, who worked with dance pioneer Charles Weidman
Charles Weidman
Charles Weidman is a renowned choreographer, modern dancer and teacher. He is well known as one of the pioneers of Modern Dance in America. He wanted to break free from the traditional movements of dance forms popular at the time to create a uniquely American style of movement...
among other choreographers, also influenced Ben with her Sly Stone
Sly Stone
Sly Stone is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
record collection. This mixture of rock, blues, funk and jazz made an impression on Ben, who then saw opportunities for crossing genre barriers, and went on to incorporate this in his works.
Ben plays Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth
Vic Firth
Vic Firth is an American musician and is the founder of Vic Firth Company , a percussion stick and mallet manufacturing company that he started in 1963. The company bills itself as the world's largest manufacturer of drum sticks and mallets...
sticks exclusively.
Early career
After high school, Ben studied at Boston’s Berklee School of Music with Alan DawsonAlan Dawson
Alan Dawson was a respected jazz drummer and widely influential percussion teacher based in Boston. He was born in Marietta, Pennsylvania and raised in Roxbury, MA. Serving in the Army for Korean War duty, Dawson played with the Army Dance Band while stationed at Fort Dix from 1951-1953...
. Among the many musicians he met were John Medeski
John Medeski
Anthony John Medeski is an American jazz keyboards player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood...
and Dave Fiucznski, who were studying at the nearby New England Conservatory.
Returning to New York City, Ben spent a brief year at Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
. Soon after, he was hired by legendary saxophonist James Moody
James Moody (saxophonist)
James Moody was an American jazz saxophone and flute player. He was best known for his hit "Moody's Mood for Love," an improvisation based on "I'm in the Mood for Love"; in performance, he often improvised vocals for the tune.-Biography:James Moody was born in Savannah, Georgia...
. The following year, he went on tour with Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Over the course of a three-decade career, Jones has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz standards.-Childhood:...
double billing with Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
. In 1987, he worked regularly in NYC with guitarist Jeff Pevar
Jeff Pevar
Jeff Pevar is an American musician who has recorded and toured with hundreds of renowned artists and is a member of CPR with David Crosby. Although primarily a guitarist, he is also a multi-instumentalist, also playing bass, mandolin, lap steel, dobro and more...
and keyboardist/bassist Morris Pleasure. Ben's freelance career soon began to blossom taking him all over the world with vibraphonist Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers...
, with whom he also backed Tom Brown, and Lonnie Liston Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith
Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr. is an American jazz, soul, and funk musician who played with important free jazz artists such as Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before forming Lonnie Liston Smith And The Cosmic Echoes, recording a number of albums widely regarded as classics in the fusion / Quiet Storm /...
. Around this time Ben also worked with modern jazz team David Liebman and Richie Beirach
Richie Beirach
Richard "Richie" Beirach is a jazz pianist and composer born in New York City.He initially studied both classical and jazz before entering the Berklee College of Music....
.
After playing regularly with Mike Stern
Mike Stern
Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
at the 55 Bar in 1990, saxophonist Bob Berg
Bob Berg
Bob Berg was a jazz saxophonist originally from Brooklyn, New York City. He started his musical education at the age of six when he began studying classical piano. He began playing the saxophone at the age of thirteen. Bob Berg was a Juilliard graduate influenced heavily by the late 1964–67 period...
hired Ben to tour and play on his next two records. Mike Stern's trio continued to tour and record throughout the early 90’s. At this time Ben also recorded with pianist/producer Jim Beard
Jim Beard
James Arthur Beard is an American jazz pianist and keyboardist, contemporary instrumental composer, arranger and record producer.- Life and career :...
, legendary baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber
Ronnie Cuber
Ronnie Cuber is a jazz saxophonist. He has also played in Latin, pop, rock and blues sessions. In addition to his primary instrument, baritone sax, he has also played tenor sax, soprano sax and flute, the latter on an album by Eddie Palmieri. As a leader, Cuber is known for hard bop and Latin jazz...
and Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias
Eliane Elias
Eliane Elias is a Brazilian jazz pianist, arranger, vocalist and songwriter.-Biography:...
.
Concurrently, Ben began performing frequently at clubs in downtown NYC, becoming a mainstay at The Knitting Factory and later at Tonic. There he first worked with John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
in an early line up of the band Masada with Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot
Marc Ribot born May 21, 1954) is an American guitarist and composer.His own work has touched on many styles, including no wave, free jazz, and Cuban music. Ribot is also known for collaborating with other musicians, most notably Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and composer John Zorn.-Biography:Ribot was...
, as well as the band Spanish Fly with Marcus Rojas
Marcus Rojas
Marcus Rojas is a tubist from New York City, best known for his work in jazz.He is a graduate of New York City's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and holds a B.M. degree from the New England Conservatory of Music.A longtime member of Spanish Fly, he has played...
, Steven Bernstein and David Tronzo
David Tronzo
David Tronzo is an American guitarist, best known for his innovation of pairing the techniques of electric slide guitar to the genres of bebop, modern jazz, rock, downtown music and experimental music...
. He did a number of tours at this time with The Fertile Crescent, Chunk, and Wayne Horvitz
Wayne Horvitz
Wayne Horvitz is an American composer, keyboardist and record producer.-Biography:Horvitz, a "defiant cross-breeder of genres", has led the groups The President, Pigpen, Zony Mash, and the Four Plus One Ensemble...
's The President. He also recorded two projects with John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
. Ben later played percussion in John Lurie
John Lurie
John Lurie is an American actor, musician, painter and producer. He is co-founder of The Lounge Lizards, a jazz ensemble. Lurie has acted in 19 films including Stranger than Paradise and Down by Law, composed and performed music for 20 television and film works, and he produced and starred in...
's Lounge Lizards and on the record Queen of All Ears.
Groups Led and Co-led
In 1988, Ben started a band with two other High School of Music and Art alumni, guitarist Adam RogersAdam Rogers
Adam Rogers is an American guitarist specializing in post bop, contemporary jazz, and classical music. Rogers has had a prolific and extensive session history as a recording guitarist having played on over 150 commercially released recordings...
and bassist Fima Ephron. This band became Lost Tribe with the final edition of saxophonist David Binney
David Binney
David Binney is an American alto saxophonist and composer living in New York City.-Biography:David was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Southern California. His parents were jazz fans, and introduced Binney to jazz musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bobby Hutcherson and Wayne Shorter...
and guitarist David Gilmore
David Gilmore
David Gilmore is an American jazz guitarist.Gilmore studied at New York University with Joe Lovano and Jim McNeely. In 1987 he began working professionally with the M-Base Collective and Ronald Shannon Jackson...
. They immediately became a ground-breaking group in the NY’s club circuit, cutting through genres playing in rock and jazz clubs alike. In 1991 Ben met producer Walter Becker
Walter Becker
Walter Carl Becker is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist and a co-writer of Steely Dan.-Career:...
(Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
) who asked Lost Tribe to record at his then studio in Maui, Hawaii. The Lost Tribe sound was a blend of various genres with dense harmony and dance rhythms. The band released three critically acclaimed records Lost Tribe, Soulfish, Many Lifetimes and toured extensively in the US and Europe. In addition to co-leading/ drumming in the band, Ben occasionally took on the role of rapper. Becker later had this rhythm section record on his first solo record.
The Ben Perowsky Trio was formed with Chris Speed
Chris Speed
Chris Speed is an American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He studied classical piano from the age of five, and began clarinet at eleven. In high school he took up the tenor saxophone and began studying jazz...
and Scott Colley
Scott Colley
Scott Colley is an American jazz bassist and Composer.Scott has performed extensively in bands led by: Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, Pat Metheny, Carmen McRae, Edward Simon, Adam Rogers, Brian Blade, David Binney, Antonio Sanchez, Kenny Werner...
in 1996, Ben's first release as a leader in 1999 for Frank Perowsky's label JazzKey. One track on this release was placed by Hal Wilner in the 2006 film "Talladega Nights" during actor Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen is an English stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist. He is most widely known for his portrayal of three unorthodox fictional characters: Ali G, Borat, and Brüno...
's entrance to a “redneck” bar.
Ben created his own label El Destructo Records and released two CDs. El Destructo: Volume I was created through a series billed as "Beatshop" early that winter. ”Beatshop” served as the workshop for a new sound Ben was developing with Glenn Patscha and Markus Lyons Miller. It was a blending of slow dub style improv with dark ambience and sparse vocals. El Destructo: Volume II Moodswing Orchestra, expands on this idea with the addition of four other instrumentalists and five vocalists.
In 2003, Ben produced a record called Bop on Pop for his father Frank with Sam Yahel on organ. Also in 2003, Ben produced a trio under his name for Tzadik
Tzadik
Tzadik/Zadik/Sadiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q , which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of Tzedakah...
entitled Camp Songs. It was voted one of the top 50 CDs of 2003 in JazzTimes magazine. He appears on 7 other Tzadik releases to date.
The Ben Perowsky Quartet featuring Chris Speed
Chris Speed
Chris Speed is an American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He studied classical piano from the age of five, and began clarinet at eleven. In high school he took up the tenor saxophone and began studying jazz...
, Ted Reichman and Drew Gress
Drew Gress
Drew Gress is an American jazz double-bassist and composer born in Trenton, New Jersey, raised in the Philadelphia area, and currently based in New York City.-Biography:...
toured in Europe in 2005 and released Esopus Opus on Skirl records
Skirl Records
Skirl Records is an American record label, focusing on improvised music, run by the artists. It was started in 2006 by Chris Speed, among others...
2009. Red Cred, a new project featuring Speed, John Medeski
John Medeski
Anthony John Medeski is an American jazz keyboards player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York's 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood...
have also been performing regularly in the catskills since 2007, with NYC debut at Winterjazz festival 2011. Starting in 2009, along with musician/producer Danny Blume
Danny Blume
Danny Blume is an American music producer, musician, and composer. He is a Grammy Award winner, multiple Grammy nominee, and co-founder/owner of the production team GoodandEvil with Christian Castagno, with studios operating in Brooklyn and Woodstock New York...
, Ben prepares new music for his Moodswing Orchestra, playing disco inflected techno dance music, an improvised dance party with chance special guests including rapper extraordinaire TK Wonder.
Bands
In addition to his solo projects and collaborations, Ben has worked with numerous bands since the late Eighties. In 1988 he joined the rock/pop band Fertile Crescent with fellow High School of Music and Art alumni bassist/song writer Erik SankoErik Sanko
Erik Sanko is a bass player from New York who has played in The Lounge Lizards and currently active in Skeleton Key.-Biography:In the past he also worked with notable musicians like Marc Ribot, John Cale, Yoko Ono, Jim Carroll, Gavin Friday, They Might Be Giants, The Melvins, James Chance and the...
, and Danny Blume
Danny Blume
Danny Blume is an American music producer, musician, and composer. He is a Grammy Award winner, multiple Grammy nominee, and co-founder/owner of the production team GoodandEvil with Christian Castagno, with studios operating in Brooklyn and Woodstock New York...
. In 1995, Ben joined the song writing team of Oren Bloedow
Oren Bloedow
Oren Bloedow is an American singer, guitarist, and composer. He founded the band Elysian Fields in 1995 with Jennifer Charles.His father, Jerry Bloedow, b...
and Jennifer Charles
Jennifer Charles
Jennifer Charles is an American singer, musician, composer, and poet. Along with Oren Bloedow, she co-founded the New York band Elysian Fields.-Biography:...
in their band Elysian Fields
Elysian Fields
-General use:* Elysium, in Greek mythology, the final resting places of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous- Places :* Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey, site of the first organized baseball game* Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans* Elysian Fields, Texas...
. He recorded on five releases and played numerous tours with the band and its ever changing cast over the next 8 years.
In the 1990’s, The Knitting Factory became the stomping ground for new projects. Danny Blume
Danny Blume
Danny Blume is an American music producer, musician, and composer. He is a Grammy Award winner, multiple Grammy nominee, and co-founder/owner of the production team GoodandEvil with Christian Castagno, with studios operating in Brooklyn and Woodstock New York...
began a series called Liminal Lounge with DJ Olive
DJ Olive
DJ Olive is an American disc jockey and turntablist active in free improvisation, jazz and illbient music. He is often credited with coining the latter term....
, spawning an electronica based band called Liminal, in which Ben played live and on record along with Christian Castagno. It was around this time that the phrase “Illbient
Illbient
Illbient is a term allegedly coined by DJ Olive to describe the iconoclastic music being produced by a community of artists based in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York in 1994...
” came into being. There Ben also played with Steven Bernstein, Dave Douglas, Don Byron
Don Byron
Don Byron is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. He primarily plays clarinet, but has also used bass clarinet and saxophones....
, and the Ben Perowsky Trio.
In 2002, Ben began working with song writer Joan Wasser
Joan Wasser
Joan Wasser is a violinist and singer/songwriter in the indie rock world. She began her career playing violin with the Dambuilders. She has released three albums as a singer songwriter, the 2006 Real Life the 2008 To Survive and the 2011 The Deep Field...
. They played as a duo for a year before the band Joan as Police Woman was formed with the addition of Rainy Orteca. After three years of live performance and working on Joan's new material, an EP was recorded with producer Brice Goggin, another of Ben's High School of Music and Art schoolmates. The full-length release Real Life was met with much success in the US, UK and Europe. Ben appears in the video for the song “Eternal Flame” and on two songs from Joan's 2008 release "To Survive."
In 1995, Ben also began playing with 101 Crustaceans with bandleader Ed Pastorini. Salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
wrote, “The stock listings phrase that when a particular band plays ‘some of the best musicians in town take to the stage’ is actually true in the case of Ed Pastorini's 101 Crustaceans, the ‘town’ in this instance being New York City. And here's a line . . . to follow it: The rest of them are in the audience.” Other players include guitarist Indigo Street and bassist Oren Bloedow
Oren Bloedow
Oren Bloedow is an American singer, guitarist, and composer. He founded the band Elysian Fields in 1995 with Jennifer Charles.His father, Jerry Bloedow, b...
.
Current work
In 1999, Ben recorded on Mike SternMike Stern
Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
's "Play," with guests Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell
William Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
and John Scofield
John Scofield
John Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
. He then toured extensively in Scofield's band for most of 2000. In 2002, the Uri Caine
Uri Caine
Uri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.-Early years:The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came...
trio began touring and recording. A live record was made at the famous basement jazz club The Village Vanguard. Ben still currently tours and records with Uri Caine
Uri Caine
Uri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.-Early years:The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came...
in a number of his projects regularly. On a notable recording session in 2003, Ben was found in the company of jazz legends led by composer /arranger Tom McIntosh
Tom McIntosh
Thomas S. McIntosh is an American jazz composer and trombonist.McIntosh was born in Baltimore, Maryland and studied at Peabody Conservatory. He played trombone in an Army band, and eventually graduated from Juilliard in 1958. He played in New York City from 1956, with Lee Morgan, Roland Kirk,...
with Benny Golson
Benny Golson
Benny Golson is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger.-Biography:While in high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golson played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and...
, James Moody
James Moody (saxophonist)
James Moody was an American jazz saxophone and flute player. He was best known for his hit "Moody's Mood for Love," an improvisation based on "I'm in the Mood for Love"; in performance, he often improvised vocals for the tune.-Biography:James Moody was born in Savannah, Georgia...
, Buster Williams
Buster Williams
Charles Anthony Williams is an American jazz bassist.-Biography:Williams has gained prestige among jazz musicians as a solid supportive player. Since the early 1960s, he has made subtle swing, a precise rhythm and superb technique the landmark of his playing...
, Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron , is an American jazz pianist. He is the younger brother of tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, and known for his lyrical, adaptive style.-Biography:...
and Richard Davis.
Ben continues to be active among improvisers and song writers. From 2003 to present Ben has appeared on records and/or tours with Clem Snide
Clem Snide
Clem Snide is an alt-country band featuring Eef Barzelay , Brendan Fitzpatrick and Ben Martin .-History:"Clem Snide" is a character in several novels by William S. Burroughs, including Naked Lunch, The Ticket That Exploded, and Exterminator!...
, Kaki King
Kaki King
Kaki King is an American guitarist and composer. King is known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies, energetic live shows, use of multiple tunings on acoustic and lap steel guitar, and her diverse range in different genres.In February 2006, Rolling Stone released a list of "The New Guitar...
, Dave Derby
Dave Derby
Dave Derby is an American songwriter, producer, and composer of music for film and television. He was a founding member of the Dambuilders, Brilliantine, and Gramercy Arms. Derby has also released solo records and played bass in Lloyd Cole's band The Negatives....
, Jamie Saft
Jamie Saft
Jamie Saft is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound engineer and producer living in upstate NY. Saft was born in Flushing Queens, New York in 1971 and is a graduate of both Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed and recorded with John Zorn,...
, Nels Andrews
Nels Andrews
Nels Andrews is a folk singer based in Brooklyn, New York. Known primarily as a folk singer, few know of his apprenticeship with cult blues icon Washboard Williams....
, Adam Levy
Adam Levy
Adam Levy is an accomplished jazz guitarist and singer-songwriter. Levy has recorded with Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Sex Mob, and Amos Lee, and has released several solo albums as well. is his latest....
, Steven Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra, Michael Blake
Michael Blake
Michael Lennox Blake is an American author, best known for his film adaptation of his novel Dances with Wolves.-Biography:...
, Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
, Lizz Wright
Lizz Wright
Lizz Wright is an American jazz/R&B singer and composer.Wright was born in the small town of Hahira in the US state of Georgia; one of three children and the daughter of a minister and the musical director of their Church. She started singing gospel music and playing piano in church as a child,...
and The Wood Brothers
The Wood Brothers
The Wood Brothers are musician siblings Chris and Oliver Wood from Boulder, Colorado. Chris is a founding member of Medeski Martin & Wood, and Oliver played second guitar with Tinsley Ellis before forming King Johnson....
. Recently, Ben recorded with Welsh singer Katell Keineg
Katell Keineg
Katell Keineg , is a Breton-Welsh singer-songwriter, based in Dublin and New York.-Early life:Born in Brittany and raised in Cardiff, Katell Keineg is the second child and only daughter of Breton poet and playwright Paol Keineg and his then wife, Judith, a Welsh political activist and...
, Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators.-Career:British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Antony's music through his Durtro label. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released...
, and appears on the disco hit single “Blind
Blind (Hercules and Love Affair song)
-Writing and inspiration:"Blind" was written by Antony Hegarty and Andrew Butler. The song began as a poem by Butler before it was recorded by Hegarty.-Critical reception:...
” by the band Hercules and Love Affair
Hercules and Love Affair
Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Andrew Butler, Kim Ann Foxman, Mark Pistel,Aerea Negrot, and Shaun Wright...
.
Discography as a leader
- Lost Tribe (Windham Hill, 1993)
- Lost Tribe Soulfish (Windham Hill/Highstreet, 1994)
- Lost Tribe Many Lifetimes (Arabesque RecordsArabesque RecordsArabesque Records is an American classical and jazz record label.Arabesque began as a classical music subsidiary of the Caedmon company. In 1988, Marvin Reiss and Ward Botsford bought the company, turning it into an independent, and continued releasing classical until 1992, when it switched focuses...
, 1998) - Ben Perowsky Trio (Jazz Key, 1999)
- Bop on Pop (Jazz Key, 2002)
- El Destructo Volume 1, (El Destructo Records, 2002)
- Camp Songs (Tzadik RecordsTzadik RecordsTzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
, 2003) - Moodswing Orchestra (El Destructo Records/Royal Potato Family/Red, 2009)
- Esopus Opus (Skirt Records, 2009)
Recording Artist Short List
- Jarrod Gorbel "10 Years Older" 2010
- Siobhan Wilson "Songs" 2010
- John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
"The Goddess" 2010 - John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
"In Search of the Miraculous" 2010 - Katell Keinig "At The Mermaid Parade" 2010
- Loudon Wainwright IIILoudon Wainwright IIILoudon Snowden Wainwright III is a Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, folk singer, humorist, and actor. He is the father of musicians Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche, brother of Sloan Wainwright, and the former husband of the late folk singer Kate McGarrigle.To...
"High Wide & Handsome – The Charlie Poole Project" 2009 - Ben Perowsky’s Moodswing Orchestra "Moodswing Orchestra" 2009
- Ben Perowsky Quartet "Esopus Opus" 2009
- John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
"Alhambra Love Songs" 2009 - Joan As Police Woman "Cover" 2009
- Jim Keller "Sunshine In My Pocket" 2009
- Kevin Mackenzie w/ Donny McCaslinDonny McCaslinDonny McCaslin is an American jazz saxophonist.McCaslin's father was a vibraphonist, and he played in his father's ensemble at the age of twelve. He had his own group in high school which played three years at the Monterey Jazz Festival. He studied under Paul Contos and Brad Hecht, both of whom...
"East of East 7th st." 2009 - Hercules and Love AffairHercules and Love AffairHercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Andrew Butler, Kim Ann Foxman, Mark Pistel,Aerea Negrot, and Shaun Wright...
"Hercules and Love Affair" 2008 - Joan As Police Woman "To Survive" 2008
- Lizz WrightLizz WrightLizz Wright is an American jazz/R&B singer and composer.Wright was born in the small town of Hahira in the US state of Georgia; one of three children and the daughter of a minister and the musical director of their Church. She started singing gospel music and playing piano in church as a child,...
"The Orchard" 2008 - Steven BernsteinSteven BernsteinSteven Bernstein is a trumpeter, slide trumpeter, arranger/composer and bandleader from New York City. He is best known for his work in The Lounge Lizards, Sex Mob, Spanish Fly and the Millennial Territory Orchestra...
’s Millenial Territory Orchestra, "We Are MTO" 2008 - Nels AndrewsNels AndrewsNels Andrews is a folk singer based in Brooklyn, New York. Known primarily as a folk singer, few know of his apprenticeship with cult blues icon Washboard Williams....
, "Off Track Betting", 2007 - Baby Loves Jazz, "Go Baby Go", 2006
- Joan As Police Woman, "Real Life ", 2006/07
- Bojan ZulfikarpašićBojan ZulfikarpašicBojan Zulfikarpašić was born February 2, 1968 in Belgrade) is a Serbian jazz pianist...
, "Xenophonia", 2006 - Dave DerbyDave DerbyDave Derby is an American songwriter, producer, and composer of music for film and television. He was a founding member of the Dambuilders, Brilliantine, and Gramercy Arms. Derby has also released solo records and played bass in Lloyd Cole's band The Negatives....
, "And the Norfolk Downs", 2006 - Steven BernsteinSteven BernsteinSteven Bernstein is a trumpeter, slide trumpeter, arranger/composer and bandleader from New York City. He is best known for his work in The Lounge Lizards, Sex Mob, Spanish Fly and the Millennial Territory Orchestra...
, "Millenial Territory Orchestra Volume 1", 2006 - Adam LevyAdam LevyAdam Levy is an accomplished jazz guitarist and singer-songwriter. Levy has recorded with Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Sex Mob, and Amos Lee, and has released several solo albums as well. is his latest....
, "Loose Rhymes: Live on Ludlow street", 2006 - Jamie SaftJamie SaftJamie Saft is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound engineer and producer living in upstate NY. Saft was born in Flushing Queens, New York in 1971 and is a graduate of both Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed and recorded with John Zorn,...
Trio, "Trouble", 2006 - Trey AnastasioTrey AnastasioTrey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
, "Bar 17", 2006 - The BackyardigansThe BackyardigansThe Backyardigans is a Canadian/American 3-D CGI-animated children's TV series, created by Janice Burgess. It features five animal children, who imagine that their backyard becomes an adventure place. It is a coproduction of Treehouse TV, and the Canadian animation studio Nelvana. Debuting on...
, "Groove To The Music", 2005 - The Backyardigans, "The Backyardigans", 2005
- John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
, Dave Douglas, Mike PattonMike PattonMichael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
, Rob Burger, Bill LaswellBill LaswellBill Laswell is an American bassist, producer and record label owner....
, "Issue One", 2005 - Eyal Maoz, "Edom", 2005
- Misha MengelbergMisha MengelbergMisha Mengelberg is a Dutch jazz pianist and composer. He won the Gaudeamus International Composers Award in 1961.-Biography:...
Trio, "Senne Sing Sing", 2005 - Jamie Saft Trio plays MasadaMasada (band)Masada is a musical group with rotating personnel led by American saxophonist and composer John Zorn since the early 1990s.Masada is as much a "songbook" as a group, comprising more than 500 relatively brief compositions...
, "Astaroth: Book of Angels vol.1Astaroth: Book of Angels Volume 1Astaroth: Book of Angels Volume 1 is an album by the Jamie Saft Trio performing compositions from John Zorn's second Masada book, "The Book of Angels".- Track listing :# "Shalmiel" - 5:25# "Ygal" - 3:10# "Astaroth" - 6:11# "Ezeqeel" - 4:22...
", 2005 - Clem SnideClem SnideClem Snide is an alt-country band featuring Eef Barzelay , Brendan Fitzpatrick and Ben Martin .-History:"Clem Snide" is a character in several novels by William S. Burroughs, including Naked Lunch, The Ticket That Exploded, and Exterminator!...
, "End of Love", 2005 - Kaki KingKaki KingKaki King is an American guitarist and composer. King is known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies, energetic live shows, use of multiple tunings on acoustic and lap steel guitar, and her diverse range in different genres.In February 2006, Rolling Stone released a list of "The New Guitar...
, "Leg's to Make Us Longer", 2004 - Adam Niewood, "Introducing", 2004
- Tom McIntoshTom McIntoshThomas S. McIntosh is an American jazz composer and trombonist.McIntosh was born in Baltimore, Maryland and studied at Peabody Conservatory. He played trombone in an Army band, and eventually graduated from Juilliard in 1958. He played in New York City from 1956, with Lee Morgan, Roland Kirk,...
- (Benny GolsonBenny GolsonBenny Golson is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger.-Biography:While in high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golson played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and...
, James MoodyJames Moody (saxophonist)James Moody was an American jazz saxophone and flute player. He was best known for his hit "Moody's Mood for Love," an improvisation based on "I'm in the Mood for Love"; in performance, he often improvised vocals for the tune.-Biography:James Moody was born in Savannah, Georgia...
, Kenny BarronKenny BarronKenny Barron , is an American jazz pianist. He is the younger brother of tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, and known for his lyrical, adaptive style.-Biography:...
, Richard DavisRichard DavisRichard Davis is an American jazz bassist who has been a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison since 1977. Originally from Chicago, he first became known in that city before establishing himself in New York City for twenty-three years. He teaches bass, jazz history, and...
, Buster WilliamsBuster WilliamsCharles Anthony Williams is an American jazz bassist.-Biography:Williams has gained prestige among jazz musicians as a solid supportive player. Since the early 1960s, he has made subtle swing, a precise rhythm and superb technique the landmark of his playing...
), "With Malice Toward None", 2004 - Joan As Policewoman EP, self-titled, 2004
- Michael Polesney, "Stoneboat (season of St.Lucy)", 2004
- Uri CaineUri CaineUri Caine is an American classical and jazz pianist and composer.-Early years:The son of Burton Caine, a professor at Temple Law School, Caine began playing piano at seven and studied with French jazz pianist Bernard Peiffer at 12. He later studied at the University of Pennsylvania where he came...
Trio, "Live at the VanguardLive at the Village Vanguard (Uri Caine Trio album)Live at the Village Vanguard is a 2004 album by jazz pianist Uri Caine as Uri Caine Trio.-Track listing:# "Nefertiti" – 9:03# "All the Way" – 5:21# "Stiletto" – 7:38...
", 2004 - Elysian FieldsElysian Fields (band)Elysian Fields is a Brooklyn, New York based band founded in 1995 by co-composers Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow . Their music has been sometimes described as "noir rock", due to its sultry, dark and mysterious inflections, be it sonically or lyrically...
, "Dreams That Breath Your Name", 2003 - Raz MesinaiRaz MesinaiRaz Mesinai is a New York City-based composer, producer, musician, writer and visual artist...
's Badawi, "Clones and False Profets", 2003 - Ben Perowsky / Uri Caine / Drew GressDrew GressDrew Gress is an American jazz double-bassist and composer born in Trenton, New Jersey, raised in the Philadelphia area, and currently based in New York City.-Biography:...
, "Voices in the wilderness", 2003 - Ben Perowsky / Uri Caine / Drew Gress, "Great Jewish Music: Sasha ArgovSasha Argov-Early life:Argov was born in Moscow. He immigrated to Palestine from Russia in 1934 with his parents.-Music career:He started composing at the age of five, began his formal music training one year later, and composed hundreds of popular songs. Among them were songs for the Israel Defense Forces,...
", 2003 - Joseph ArthurJoseph ArthurJoseph Arthur is an American singer-songwriter and artist from Akron, Ohio. Combining poetic lyrics with a layered sonic palette, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically acclaimed releases and constant touring; his unique solo live performances incorporate the use of a...
, "Redemption's Son", 2002 - Tonic, "Live at Tonic", 2002
- Oren BloedowOren BloedowOren Bloedow is an American singer, guitarist, and composer. He founded the band Elysian Fields in 1995 with Jennifer Charles.His father, Jerry Bloedow, b...
/ Jennifer CharlesJennifer CharlesJennifer Charles is an American singer, musician, composer, and poet. Along with Oren Bloedow, she co-founded the New York band Elysian Fields.-Biography:...
, "La Mar Enfortuna", 2001 - Elysian Fields, "Queen of the Meadow", 2000
- Chris SpeedChris SpeedChris Speed is an American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He studied classical piano from the age of five, and began clarinet at eleven. In high school he took up the tenor saxophone and began studying jazz...
Trio (w/ Jaime Saft), "Iffy", 2000 - Roy NathansonRoy NathansonRoy Nathanson has a varied career as a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, actor and teacher. He is leader and principal composer of the Jazz Passengers, a six piece group that he founded with Curtis Fowlkes in 1987. They have toured Europe many times and played at major festivals in Finland,...
(w/ Deborah Harry, Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Charles EarlandCharles EarlandCharles Earland was an American jazz composer, organist, and saxophonist in the soul jazz idiom.-Biography:...
and other legends), "Fire at Keaton's Bar & Grill", 2000 - Dave DouglasDave Douglas (trumpeter)Dave Douglas is an American jazz trumpeter and composer whose music derives from many non-jazz musical styles, including classical music, folk music from European countries and Klezmer. He has been a member of the experimental big band Orange Then Blue...
, "Leap of Faith", 2000 - Liminal, self-titled, 1999
- Uri Caine, "The Sidewalks of New York", 1999
- Dave Douglas, "Live at Birdland", 1999
- Mike SternMike SternMike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
(w/ Bill FrisellBill FrisellWilliam Richard "Bill" Frisell is an American guitarist and composer.One of the leading guitarists in jazz since the late 1980s, Frisell's eclectic music touches on progressive folk, classical music, country music, noise and more...
and John ScofieldJohn ScofieldJohn Scofield , often referred to as "Sco," is an American jazz guitarist and composer, who has played and collaborated with Miles Davis, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson, Charles Mingus, Joey Defrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, Pat Martino, Mavis Staples, Phil Lesh, Billy Cobham,...
), "Play", 1999 - Salif KeitaSalif KeitaSalif Keïta is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita...
(w/ Vernon Reid and John Medeski), "Papa", 1999 - Dave Douglas, "Magic Triangle", 1998
- The Whistling Hangmen, "Barhopping", 1998
- The Lounge LizardsThe Lounge LizardsThe Lounge Lizards are a jazz group formed in 1978 by saxophone player John Lurie.Initially a tongue in cheek "fake jazz" combo, drawing on punk rock and no wave as much as jazz, The Lounge Lizards have since become respected for their creative and distinctive sound.-History:Lounge Lizards were...
, "Queen of All Ears", 1998 - Pat MartinoPat MartinoPat Martino is an Italian-American jazz guitarist and composer within the post bop, fusion, mainstream jazz, soul jazz and hard bop idioms.-Biography:...
, "All Sides Now", 1998 - Evan Lurie, "How I Spent My Summer Vacation", 1998
- Elysian Fields, "Black Acres (unreleased)", 1997
- Liminal, "Preset", 1997
- Robert DickRobert Dick (flutist)Robert Dick is an American flutist and composer specializing in new music and extended techniques. He was a member of the experimental woodwind trio New Winds with Ned Rothenberg and J. D. Parran....
/ Soldier string quartet, "Jazz Standards on Mars", 1997 - Elysian Fields, "Bleed Your Ceder", 1996
- Elysian Fields, self-titled, 1996
- Spanish FlySpanish Fly (band)Spanish Fly is an avant garde jazz trio from New York City. It consists of Steven Bernstein , David Tronzo , and Marcus Rojas . Patricipation in other projects have limited the releases of this band.-Discography:...
, "Fly by Night", 1996 - David TronzoDavid TronzoDavid Tronzo is an American guitarist, best known for his innovation of pairing the techniques of electric slide guitar to the genres of bebop, modern jazz, rock, downtown music and experimental music...
Trio, "Yo! Hey!", 1996 - John CaleJohn CaleJohn Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
, "Walking on Locusts", 1996 - Charles & Eddie, "Chocolate MilkChocolate Milk (album)Chocolate Milk is the second album by vocal duo Charles and Eddie.- Track listing :#Keep on Smilin' - 5:11#Jealousy - 4:39#24-7-365 - 3:49#Wounded Bird - 5:33#Peace of Mind - 5:47#Sunshine & Happiness - 4:58#Smile My Way - 2:22...
", 1995 - John Zorn's Cobra, "Live at the Knitting Factory"John Zorn's Cobra: Live at the Knitting FactoryJohn Zorn's Cobra: Live at the Knitting Factory is a performance of John Zorn's improvisational game piece, Cobra, performed at The Knitting Factory in 1992. The album resembles the missing link between John Zorn's work with Masada and Naked City...
, 1995 - John Cale / Bob NeuwirthBob NeuwirthBob Neuwirth is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and visual artist. A mainstay of the early 1960s Cambridge, Massachusetts, folk scene, he subsequently became a friend and associate of Bob Dylan alongside whom he appears in D.A...
, "Last Day on Earth", 1994 - Walter BeckerWalter BeckerWalter Carl Becker is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist and a co-writer of Steely Dan.-Career:...
, "11 Tracks of Whack", 1994 - Mike Stern, "Is What It Is", 1994
- Ralph BowenRalph BowenRalph Bowen is a jazz saxophonist who began his career with the Blue Note Records group Out of the Blue before releasing several albums for the Dutch label Criss Cross Jazz....
(w/Jim BeardJim BeardJames Arthur Beard is an American jazz pianist and keyboardist, contemporary instrumental composer, arranger and record producer.- Life and career :...
and Anthony Jackson), "Movin' On", 1992 - The Fertile Crescent, "The Fertile Crescent", 1992
- Spanish Fly, "Rags to Britches", 1992
- Ronnie CuberRonnie CuberRonnie Cuber is a jazz saxophonist. He has also played in Latin, pop, rock and blues sessions. In addition to his primary instrument, baritone sax, he has also played tenor sax, soprano sax and flute, the latter on an album by Eddie Palmieri. As a leader, Cuber is known for hard bop and Latin jazz...
(w/ Bobby BroomBobby BroomBobby Broom , birthname Robert Broom, Jr., is an American jazz guitarist, composer and educator born and raised in New York City. Broom performs and records with jazz saxophone legend Sonny Rollins as well as his Bobby Broom Trio and the Deep Blue Organ Trio...
, Michael FormanekMichael FormanekMichael Formanek is an American jazz bassist born in San Francisco, California and associated with the jazz scene in New York City....
, Patato Valdez), "Cubism", 1992 - Ronnie Cuber, "Airplay", 1992
- Dave Kikoski, "Persistent Dreams", 1992
- Mike Stern, "Standards", 1992
- Mike Stern, "Odds or Evens", 1991
- Bob BergBob BergBob Berg was a jazz saxophonist originally from Brooklyn, New York City. He started his musical education at the age of six when he began studying classical piano. He began playing the saxophone at the age of thirteen. Bob Berg was a Juilliard graduate influenced heavily by the late 1964–67 period...
, "Backroads", 1991 - Jim Beard (w/ Michael BreckerMichael BreckerMichael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz...
, Wayne ShorterWayne ShorterWayne Shorter is an American jazz saxophonist and composer.He is generally acknowledged to be jazz's greatest living composer, and many of his compositions have become standards...
, Don AliasDon AliasCharles 'Don' Alias was an American jazz percussionist.Alias was best known for playing congas and other hand drums...
, Mino CineluMino CineluMino Cinelu is a French musician. He plays multiple instruments. He is a composer, programmer and producer; and is most often associated primarily for his work as a jazz percussionist.-Biography:Cinelu was born in Saint-Cloud, Hauts-de-Seine...
), "Song of the Sun", 1991 - Chris Minh DokyChris Minh DokyChris Minh Doky is a Vietnamese-Danish bassist living in Copenhagen and New York City. Though Doky has worked in many genres, his main area of music is jazz...
(w/ Larry Schneider and Thomas Clausen), "Appreciation", 1989 - Roy AyersRoy AyersRoy Ayers is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer and vibraphone player. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Polydor Records beginning in the 1970s, during which he helped pioneer jazz-funk .- Biography :Ayers...
, "Fast Money", 1988
External links
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0674471/
- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=64740277 (Ben's Myspace page)
- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=413429601 (Ben Perowsky Quartet on Myspace)
- http://perowsky.com/ (Ben's website)