Ben van Gelder in California

Thu, Feb 23 - Fri, Mar 3  2017

In February and March, Ben Van Gelder will perform 5 times around California with the Ben van Gelder Quintet. His quintet partners are vibraphonist Peter Schlamb, pianist Sam Harris, bassist Rick Rosato, and drummer Craig Weinrib. They are all major talents on the New York scene, and each has frequently appeared throughout the area performing with various groups. New York-based Ben van Gelder is in his mid-twenties, and is one of the new voices who has been getting a lot of attention on the New York scene. 

About Ben van Gelder

Despite his youthful age, Ben van Gelder is emerging as an important new voice on New York’s groundbreaking improvised music scene. Peers and critics alike praise him for his unique sound and originality as a composer and improviser. He performs all around the world in various settings and formations. Rooted in the jazz tradition, he creates music that is informed by a multitude of contemporary influences resulting in a sound that is lyrical, at times orchestral, but above all current. Ben comes from a Dutch family who loves music. His father owns a record store, his mother is a classically trained musician. Ben became involved in the jazz scene at an early age, was already a prize-winner as a student, and appeared at such prestigious jazz venues as the North Sea Jazz Festival. He studied in Amsterdam, and shortly thereafter landed in New York where he continued his schooling with the likes of Lee Konitz and Mark Turner while playing with such diverse major jazz players as Ari Hoenig and David Binney.

Tour Schedule

02/23/17 – Pink House, Saratoga

02/24/17 – Piedmont Piano, Oakland

02/25/17 – Chez Hanny, San Francisco

03/02/17 – Blue Whale Los Angeles

03/03/17 –Dizzy’s, San Diego