| 
back to about us
|
 |
Ben Smith is truly a drummer's drummer. His talent and versatility
keep him in constant demand for studio sessions and live engagements
in the Northwest, across the nation and around the world.
One look at Ben's credits and it's clear that he shines laying
down the groove for any kind of music.
Ben has performed and recorded with an impressive
and diverse roster of artists, including: Heart, Kenny G,
Ann and Nancy Wilson, Taj Mahal, Lovemongers, Deniece Williams,
P.F. Sloan (legendary producer and writer of "Eve of
Destruction" and "Secret Agent Man"), Cornelius
Bumpus, Cyndi Lauper, jazz artists Nancy Wilson, Ernestine
Anderson and Randy Brecker, Fatback Band, Phoebe Snow, Tingstas
and Rumbel, Southside Johnny, The Songcatchers featuring Charles
Neville, Tony Gable and 206 (top of the charts Contemporary
Jazz group) and Mercury Records new artist Laura Love; as
well as the many other talented artists Ben works with live
and in the studio, in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Originally from California, Ben made a name for himself
performing in Seattle with Kenny G, and other top local artists
before moving to New York. Ben's career took off in Gotham
when he teamed up with songwriter Gene McDaniels, who panned
such hits as Roberta Flack's "Feel Like Makin' Love"
and Eric Clapton's "Before You Accuse Me." Their
work included recording film score music with Michel Legrande
and album dates with jazz singer Nancy Wilson, Phyllis Hyman,
Marcus Miller and numerous other artists.
Ben's sound caught the ear of pop and R&B icon Phoebe
Snow, and he toured with her for two and a half years. Not
wanting to let his jazz chops cool during this time, Ben also
played on two releases by guitarist Glenn Alexander: "Glenn
Alexander" on SOS Records, featuring Randy Brecker and
Mino Cinelu, and "Rainbow's Revenge" on Shanachie
Records, with Manolo Badrena, Mark Egan and T Lavitz. Extensive
touring followed these releases, including festivals and club
dates at the hallowed Blue Note in New York and Blues Alley
in Washington, D.C.
Ben began performing with Heart in the fall of 1995, and
has joined the band for performances on "The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno" in fall '96, the "Ann Wilson
of Heart" tour '96, the VH-1 "Fairway to Heaven"
concert '96, which is still in rotation on VH-1, and with
the Heart concert tour '98, which lasted 8 weeks around the
U.S. and Canada this past summer. Other work with Ann and
Nancy Wilson includes an album by Lovemongers, "Whirligig"
on Will Records, as well as the Lovemongers tour in November
and December '97; Lovemongers Valentine's Day 1998 live radio
broadcast-internet concert and the 1998 release "Here
is Christmas" on 2B Records. He played drums with Ann
and Nancy on the song "Momma Why" for Epic Records
"Home Alive" release, which supports organizations
promoting prevention of violence against women.
Ben is busier than ever, performing with Loosegroove Records
recording artist Elaine Summers, including a song in movie
"Homegrown" with Pete Droge producing. He recently
performed with jazz artist Ernestine Anderson, including her
70th Birthday Concert; with B.B. King for the Microsoft Network's
"Riff" series; on a new release by Christian artist
Terry Clark; six songs with Nancy Wilson, Peter Frampton and
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam for a new Cameron Crowe film; on
the Shadowcatcher/Miramax film "Smoke Signals".
On the film "Around the Fire" featuring guitar work
by Bill Frisell, and on the recent 20th Century Fox film "Mod
Squad", all with composer B.C. Smith; and many commercial
recording sessions for K2, Coke, Boeing, Nordstrom, Nike,
Nintendo and others.
Versatile. Solid. Precise. Dependable. On disk and on stage,
Ben Smith earns his reputation night in and night out as a
premiere, first-call player.
top of page
|
