Ben Schachter is a powerful and original saxophonist and composer. As a leader, he has six recordings on his own label. He has performed and recorded in the U.S., Europe, and Asia with; Tim Hagans, Conrad Herwig, John Zorn, Gary Bartz, Dick Oatts, Sam Rivers, Dave Holland, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Terell Stafford, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Uri Caine, George Garzone, Marc Ribot, Mark Dresser, John Swana, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Charles Fambrough, James Genus, Jef Lee Johnson, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Burhan Ocal, Jack Walrath, etc. As a composer, Ben has been recognized with grants from the American Composers Forum (2003), Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2001 & 2005), and Pew Fellowships in the Arts (1999). A Philadelphia native, he has been cited in his hometown press as "Best Jazz Artist" and "Best Saxophonist". Holding Degrees from Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, Ben has been a passionate educator for many years. He taught at Berklee from 1986-88, and at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA from 1991-96. In Philadelphia he taught at Temple University as an Assistant Professor in the school’s renowned Jazz Studies program from 1993 to 2010. He was an adjunct Assistant Professor of Music at The University of the Arts from 2004 to 2010. Ben has also been an active clinician for years, conducting clinics and masterclasses at numerous colleges, high schools and universities in the U.S. and Europe. In 2010, seeking a change of lifestyle and fulfilling a desire to live in an environment of natural beauty, Ben moved with his wife to Tucson, Arizona. In 2012, wishing to again live in a vibrant city, Ben and his wife moved to San Diego, California.
Awards
As a composer, Ben has been recognized with grants from the American Composers Forum (2003), Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2001 & 2005), andPew Fellowships in the Arts (1999).
Philadelphia CityPaper: "Best Jazz Artist"(1999) and "Hottest Saxophonist"(2001)
"If the news hasn't reached you, then listen up! Philadelphia-based
saxophonist Ben Schachter is one of the sharpest improvisers in modern
jazz."
AllAboutJazz
"...a new style of freedom and democracy."
JazzTimes
"...beautifully arranged interludes offset by passages of boundless
improvising...something special is happening here."
JazzImprov
"...the power of...Dave Holland...or Steve Coleman...the authority of Joe
Lovano..."
Cadence
"...advanced harmonic capabilities and fluid, sure-fire rhythmic drive....a
personal and present-tense sound."
Philadelphia CityPaper
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"If the news hasn't reached you, then listen up! Philadelphia-based
saxophonist Ben Schachter is one of the sharpest improvisers in modern
jazz."
AllAboutJazz
"...a new style of freedom and democracy."
JazzTimes
"...beautifully arranged interludes offset by passages of boundless
improvising...something special is happening here."
JazzImprov
"...the power of...Dave Holland...or Steve Coleman...the authority of Joe
Lovano..."
Cadence
"...advanced harmonic capabilities and fluid, sure-fire rhythmic drive....a
personal and present-tense sound."
Philadelphia CityPaper
"...Schachter writes peppery tunes that tapdance on the subconscious before
his searing saxophone takes over to blow down the house."
Philadelphia Inquirer
"...artistic prowess...reams of finely-honed phrases that contain a trace of
lyricism within their full-bodied texture."
Cadence
"...has a fire in his soul that he vents through angular, topsy-turvy modified
bop explosions."
Philadelphia CityPaper
"...Ben Schachter's Sung/Unsung will blow your mind."
Philadelphia Arts Writers
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Primary Instrument
Saxophone, tenor
Location
San Diego
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Lessons with BEN SCHACHTER.
An acclaimed jazz artist who has played around the world with many greats of
the music, BEN SCHACHTER has also passionately taught at some of the best
jazz studies colleges and universities. Ben’s former students include some of
today’s most celebrated jazz musicians. Lessons with Ben are for any
musician, on any instrument and at any level, who wishes to grow artistically
and expressively. Study Saxophone, Improvisation, Composition, Arranging,
Repertoire (learning tunes), Theory/Harmony/Analysis, Time/Rhythm/Meter,
Performance Methodology, any or all of these topics combined into that which
we call CONCEPT. Lessons are available in person at Ben’s home in San
Diego, on-line via Skype, or anywhere in residency by arrangement. Contact:
[email protected].
Visit www.sungunsung.com for more information.
Clinic/Workshop Information
Read more
Primary Instrument
Saxophone, tenor
Location
San Diego
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Lessons with BEN SCHACHTER.
An acclaimed jazz artist who has played around the world with many greats of
the music, BEN SCHACHTER has also passionately taught at some of the best
jazz studies colleges and universities. Ben’s former students include some of
today’s most celebrated jazz musicians. Lessons with Ben are for any
musician, on any instrument and at any level, who wishes to grow artistically
and expressively. Study Saxophone, Improvisation, Composition, Arranging,
Repertoire (learning tunes), Theory/Harmony/Analysis, Time/Rhythm/Meter,
Performance Methodology, any or all of these topics combined into that which
we call CONCEPT. Lessons are available in person at Ben’s home in San
Diego, on-line via Skype, or anywhere in residency by arrangement. Contact:
[email protected].
Visit www.sungunsung.com for more information.
Clinic/Workshop Information
IMPROVISATION:
These clinics represent a unique approach to studying and practicing the art
of improvisation. Through experiences teaching improvisation as a professor
at Temple University and the University of the Arts to all levels of students -
from beginning improvisors to advanced graduate students - a novel method
of "demystifying" the act of improvisation has been developed. Emphasis is
placed on fundamental instrumental and theoretical skills being employed in a
personal and creative manner to offer the student the liberating (indeed
spiritual) experience of improvising meaningful music.
THE MUSIC OF THELONIOUS MONK:
I have long been fascinated by the music of this great Master. I have studied,
analyzed, taught, interpreted, arranged, adapted and performed this music
for years. Let's talk about Monk!
SMALL GROUP PERFORMANCE:
Working with ensembles from Duo to Octet developing concepts of
interaction, arrangement, improvisation, instrumental "role reversal", etc.
I have conducted clinics and masterclasses at the University of Arizona,
Arizona State University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania,
Swarthmore College, Rotterdam Conservatory, Royal Conservatory of Den
Haag, Rowan State University, Istanbul University, Westchester University...
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