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Ben Britton

Saxophonist Ben Britton is an active performer, composer, and educator in the U.S. His talents as a musician and composer were first nationally recognized in 2007 when he was selected to participate in a residency at the Kennedy Center as part of the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. In 2008, Ben performed on a live album led by Bobby Sanabria, Tito Puente Masterworks Live!!!, which was nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 2011 Latin Grammys. Working to find his own voice, Ben co-led a recording with his brother John in 2010. The album, Uncertain Living, featured guest artist and saxophone virtuoso Chris Potter and was celebrated by many jazz reviewers and listeners. Ben’s career on the national stage continued to develop in 2012 as he participated in two saxophone competitions, placing as a finalist in the Detroit Jazz Festival National Saxophone Competition and winning the First Annual Charlie Parker Cutting Contest hosted by NPR’s 12th Street Jump.

Expanding in the academic world, Ben completed a Doctorate in Jazz Studies at the Eastman School of Music in 2016, and a year later, he accepted a teaching position at College of Southern Idaho, where he currently teaches jazz and woodwinds. Other highlights of his career include recording and performing alongside jazz greats like Harold Danko, Scott Colley, Clay Jenkins, Ted Nash, Rich Perry, Sullivan Fortner, Linda Oh, and many others. He has also led multiple recording projects, including an upcoming album, Sound Expression, which includes a mix of his arrangements of jazz standards and original compositions.

Always searching for creative outlets, over the past decade Ben has worked at blending music and story. His first major effort resulted in a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and original music in a novel and accompanying album, both titled Gravity Leak. His most recent project is a show titled ARC that includes a dystopian sci-fi plot, projected text and visuals, narration, and original modern jazz. The show was written for and debuted by the college ensemble Sci-Fi Jazz at the College of Southern Idaho.

Gear

Selmer Balanced Action Tenor Saxophone

Otto Link Super Tone Master Mouthpiece

Boston Sax Shop Reeds

Ben Britton's Unconventional Riot: Children At Play

Read "Children At Play" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
July 22, 2011

The name of saxophonist Ben Britton's new outfit, Unconventional Riot, might suggest some hard-edged, in-your-face, Mostly Other People Do The Killing type of jazz. The title of the band's debut “mini album," Children At Play, is more indicative of a looser, lighter and less serious approach. The reality is somewhere in the middle--a tight, swinging trio of straight-ahead tunes with some subtle musical twists and turns, and a mix of gentleness and wildness that amalgamates and also belies the titles ...

"A real jazz tenor player and a true improviser." Walt Weiskopf

"Ben ... has that drivingly linear modern sound, evocative slightly of Mike Brecker, Dave Liebman and other such players. He has a very strong tone and a confidence and inventive ability in the improvisations that make you want to check him out in a live setting." Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Music Review

"Ben has a hearty tone (with a softer side, not unlike Wayne Shorter), a predilection for rhythmic adventure and creates melodies that seem to propel forward." Richard B

Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Location

Boise

Credentials/Background

Adjunct Professor at Montgomery County Community College Taught elementary school, high school, and college master classes. Contact for rates and availability.