Jazz

Still in his early 30s, saxophonist and vocalist Ben has already played and recorded with some of Australia’s finest musicians including; Tom Baker, Bob & Len Barnard, Geoff Bull, Col Nolan, Janet Seidel, Monica & The Moochers, Don Burrows & James Morrison. He has played at most major Jazz festivals and venues around the country, being a featured artist at the Manly, Thredbo, Wangaratta, Wagga, Noosa and Newcastle festivals, & is now the patron of the Dubbo Jazz Festival.

In January 2002 his “4tet” performed for a record crowd of 90,000 people at “Jazz in the Domain”, co-headlining with two other Australian groups and Maria Schneider, award winning composer / conductor from New York.

Ben is often part of James Morrison’s six- piece swing band, which features Ed Wilson and the young vocalist Emma Pask, and was an original member of John Morrison’s big-band “Swing City”.

He was featured on Col Nolan’s album “Nolan’s Groove”, which was a finalist for “Jazz Album of the Year” at the ARIA awards, and appears on Janet Seidel’s “The Art Of Lounge Vol.2”, where he joins Janet in a vocal duet. He can also be heard soloing with James Morrison on the Swing City CD “Serious Fun”.

August 2001 saw the release of Ben’s debut solo album “It Might As Well Be Swing” on the La Brava label. It was still in the Top 10 on Australia’s Independent Jazz Charts in October, 2003 and has been met with great critical acclaim. It features one of the last recordings made by the legendary Tom Baker, who passed away late 2001. Jones was fortunate enough to have his first tour to Europe with Baker in July 2001, playing at the world renowned Ascona New Orleans Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Ben has since returned to Ascona three times and has played with some of the world’s finest swing players including Dan Barrett, Harry Allen, Ed Metz Jr, Howard Alden, Freddy Lonzo, Berndt Lhotsky, Christian Hopkins, Leroy Jones and Craig Kline.

In 2003 he was a member of the “Allstar” festival band in Breda, Holland, which also featured trombone sensation from New York, John Allred and English trumpeter Colin Dawson and recorded two CD’s in Breda, featuring Antoine Trommelen, Harry Kanters, Bert Boeren and Simon Stribbling. Later that year Jones had a highly successful series of performances at the inaugural “Osaka Jazz City” festival in Japan.

2004 marked Ben’s return to Europe. He toured extensively with “The Wooden Shoe’d Kangaroos”; an Australian/Dutch collaboration in tribute to the 100th birthdays of Coleman Hawkins, Fats Waller and Count Basie. This band released the “Basie, Bean & Fats Project” on CD in Europe. This album debuted in Australia at number seven on the independent jazz music charts upon release.

Ben continues to travel to Europe on a regular basis performing at major jazz festivals in several countries, playing with artists such as Eddie Locke, Jason Marsalis and Peter Washington. His saxophone sound is reminiscent of the big-toned 1930’s and 40’s tenor players. He has never been one to branch too far into the Be-Bop idiom, preferring to focus on his traditional roots. His vocal style is a unique mix of swing and “crooning”, taking heed of the masters; Sinatra, Bennett and Torme. Presently, Ben is leading his own group, “The Ben’s “4tet” which comprises some of Sydney’s finest young musicians following the respected tradition, while bringing a fresh and exciting approach to swinging jazz.

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