Ben is a versatile and highly experienced pianist, at home in a variety of styles embracing classical, jazz and musical theatre. He trained as a singer and pianist, specialising in accompanying, and is well-known as a supportive and good-natured player with excellent sight-reading skills.
A specialist in musical theatre, he has worked for most of the major London performing arts colleges and is at home playing pretty much the whole musical theatre canon.
Over a twenty-five year freelance career, Ben has provided piano for a variety of events and at prestigious venues including several of London's livery halls, and for companies including the Champagne Academy and Searcys, and is happy to tailor material on request. He is also an organist, deputising at several London churches, and plays regularly at the Actors' Church, Covent Garden.
A good example of Ben's versatility can be seen from just one of many events: a memorial service in south London at which Ben played musical theatre repertoire by Lloyd Webber (requested by the family) before the service, then accompanied the service on the organ and played keyboards from lead sheets in the worship band, also during the service, and then, post-service, provided light classical repertoire on piano for the drinks reception.
Ben also plays for Cantabile (The London Quartet) and has given concerts with them in Belgium, Germany and the UK.
As Artistic Director of prestigious London concert series Thames Concerts (established 1961), Ben regularly performs with some of the UK's finest musicians, and in concert has accompanied distinguished performers including Michael Chance CBE, James Bowman CBE, Robin Blaze, Hugh Cutting, Alison Pearce, Joanne Lunn, Peter Savidge, Jamie Walton and many others.
When not performing, Ben is a busy generalist music adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals, and a music examiner for London College of Music Examinations. He is also a Liveryman and on the Court of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
Qualifications: MA, PGDip, BMus.
Based in Surbiton, Surrey
= areas covered (up to 30 miles)
= free travel (up to 5 miles)
Just a decent piano!
No.
The type of instrument and its position.
No.
That's a tricky one, but one of the most memorable is as follows: I conducted the opening concert of the Harare International Festival of the Arts in 2010. This involved massed choirs, three soloists, two pianos and a huge battery of percussion. The gig took place in front of an audience of over 5000. I had a great time, and have been out to work in Zimbabwe several times since.
Although I work predominantly in musical theatre, I was classically trained and am a big jazz fan too. I love singer-songwriters like Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell, plus groups like Jethro Tull, early Chicago, Eagles, 10cc Steely Dan. Jazz vocalists that inspire me include Mel Torme, Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald of course. Later jazz singers too, like Ian Shaw, Claire Martin and Liane Carroll, all of them I'm pleased (and privileged) to count as friends.
I've been doing gigs since I can remember. My first work (as a teenager) was singing and playing jazz standards in a hotel restaurant by the sea.
I enjoy performing in lots of genres.
I need very little set-up time if the instrument is ready to use.
Yes, as long as I'm shielded from wind and rain!
I am happy to tailor my material and include any requests given to me in advance.
I would ask them, but I've been lucky that my clients have so far been pleased with my work for them!
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