BEN WENDEL: News

Recent news...I was invited by conductor Kent Nagano to produce a series of concerts at a festival in Munich this summer. It was an awesome, intense experience. The performances included Kneebody w/Theo Bleckmann doing the music of Charles Ives and also Kneebody w/So Percussion. As a result of that experience, I got asked to curate a series in Santa Monica at a new venue called 2nd Space. I'll post more info on that when I have something.

Kneebody, the band I co-lead with some of my best friends has been invited to play the North Sea Jazz Fest, Festpeil Plus in Germany and the SF Jazz Fest.

Just came back from a France tour with Tigran Hamasyan. The group inlcuded Ari Hoenig and Francois Moutin - totally fun experience. Here's some clips:

Recorded on Otmaro Ruiz's new album. Played at IAJE and APAP in NYC. Toured with Ignacio Berroa - amazing experience. Just got back from France - played three gigs with my buddy Tigran Hamasyan. The rest of the band was Francois Moutin and Ari Hoenig. I've posted some YouTube clips on the home page...

Played with Blood, Sweat and Tears in Las Vegas. Played with latin superstar Marco Antonio Solis around California and recorded on his next album. Got to perform at the Venezuelan Embassy with Otmaro Ruiz - felt embarrassed afterwards at my lack of Spanish literacy. More news to follow...

Just finished a 2 week tour with Kneebody in Italy. We recorded a straight ahead album with jazz legend Tony Scott. Other stuff coming up for Kneebody - new live cd on Greenleaf Music. Also recording a new studio album. More news to follow...

I had some fun trips this fall. A pair of nights in San Francisco with Todd Sickafoose and Myra Melford. Some clinics and concerts in Caracas, Venezuela with Otmaro Ruiz. A big Kneebody tour in December through the East, Middle and West Coasts.

I also got to play the Latin Grammys with my main sax buddy, Katisse Buckingham.

Kneebody has signed with Greenleaf Music for it's first release. Greanleaf is a new east coast label co-headed by trumpeter Dave Douglas and veteran label manager Michael Friedman. The album is out! Go to www.kneebody.com for more info.

-Two recent albums I was involved in:

"Blood Orange"

Lead by Bassist/Composer Todd Sickafoose (currently playing with Ani Di Franco). It was an awesome experience and Todd's music is great. The group included Alan Ferber, Nels Cline, Adam Benjamin, Ches Smith, Mark Ferber, Steve Moore and Justin Morell.

Untitled Album

The music of Tigran Hamasyan, an amazing young piano player out of Armenia. The group included Ari Hoenig and Francois Moutin.

Personal website is here. More stuff to follow.