Ben Wendel

Born in Vancouver and raised in Los Angeles, Ben was educated at the Eastman School of Music in New York. Since graduating he has enjoyed a varied carreer as a performer, composer and producer. Recent highlights include multiple domestic and international tours with such artists as Cuban drumming legend Ignacio Berroa, Thelonius Monk Piano Competition Winner Tigran Hamasyan, Electronica artist Daedelus and Hip Hop artist Snoop Dogg. Ben is a founding member of the genre-bending group Kneebody.

In addition to playing saxophone, Ben also doubles on the bassoon and piano.

As a composer he has scored multiple films, received an ASCAP Jazz Composer Award , was a winner in the 2007 International Songwriting Competition and recently received the Chamber Music America “New Works Grant.” In the summer of 2007, Ben was honored to work with conductor Kent Nagano in producing a series of concerts for the Festpeil Plus in Munich, Germany. One of the performances (a collaboration between Theo Bleckmann and Kneebody featuring the songs of Charles Ives) was recently signed to Winter & Winter. Ben currently produces a new performing arts series at The Edye in Santa Monica, California.

Ben's first solo album “Simple Song” will be released on Sunnyside Records in March 2009. Ben is currently an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at USC.

Artists and/or Groups Ben currently plays with: Kneebody - Ignacio Berroa - Dakah - Todd Sickafoose - Otmaro Ruiz - Tigran Hamasyan - Daedelus - Taylor Eigsti

Awards:

Chamber Music America "New Works Grant" 2008 International Songwriting Competition Winner 2008 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Winner 2005

Equipment:

AEA Microphones