Ben

Profile Information:

Pittsburgh Connection
born in the Hill district, replaced to Las Vegas,.. Crawford Grille and it's many performers were my heart and soul-filling experiences while living in this environ....Have never found anything to top this....still enthusiastic about music and still hacking on my saxes.....My nephew Rob Jones , bassist and fine musician, is a constant influence and mutual jazz lover......I'm still playing alto,tenor,flute,cl.,bari in community and kick's bands..once in awhile get some bucks......
Favorite Pittsburgh musicians/performers
Joe Negri, Stanley and Tommie Turrentine, J.C. Moses, Earl Garner, Ahmad Jamal, tommy Turk, henry mancini,sammy nestico,J.C.Moses,harold Bettors,Phil Brontz, Henry Mancini, Sammie Nestico, Walt Harper, Danny Conn, Don Grossi,Art Blakey, paul chambers, bill scott........mostly all deceased and many more escaping my memory...
Favorite Jazz Radio or media station
KUNV 91.5.. Vegas....L.A. Jazz spot.....Cox Cable 930.....105.7 smooth jazz...Vegas
Favorite Pittsburgh Jazz Venue
MCG for me,....now Jazz Network
About Me:
born in Pgh 1934; played in fifth avenue high school under Stanley Levin; also attended Peobody High School and after, was in 82 nd Army band and also in San Juan, Puerto Rico army band; attended Elizabethtown college and graduated from UNLV with a music-teaching degree....worked Nevada Test Site many years and retired from pipefitting and plumbing; resumed playing in various kicks bands and community bands here in Vegas.. once in awhile get paid....love music......
Artist or Fan
artist, fan

Comment Wall:

  • Rob Jones

    Roots indeed, Uncle Ben! I knew you were in here somewhere! Keep up the great BigBand work in Vegas. We're already talking about coming back for a visit.

    Love,
    - Rob

    Mar 11, 2008

  • CWR (Fan of Culture)

    Hi Ben,

    Nice to have you as a friend, I am glad you took a trip through my pages. get it sweet.

    CWR

    Sep 9, 2008

  • Bruce C

    Happy New Years Ben!....all the best in the coming year for you and all those around you too...I can relate so well to working then getting back into music...here in Maine there are so many musicians from all walks of life and in their "mature" years who play out a great deal...and with great style and devotion too...several players I regularly play with are in their 70's and 80's....and they've got great chops too...Sweet Emma barrett on the piano in the shot I took in '74 was well into her 80's and doing just fine......and then some...if you're ever in Maine...(strongly recommend summer...lol) give a holler and i'll see where the action is and get you into some serious "conversations" with other players...be well...keep on keepin' on ...always b

    Jan 1, 2009