Ben plays drums, French Horn and sings, he plays in numerous bands across genres from rock, folk, jazz, electronica and global music. He leads More Music’s Early Years programme and is the project manager for our family friendly festivals in Morecambe. He also programmes the gigs at More Music and has brought internationally acclaimed artists to Morecambe and Lancaster such as Jesca Hoop, Soweto Kinch, This Is The Kit, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Green Gartside (Scritti Pollitti), Sam Amidon, Jane Siberry and many, many more.
He has played high profile festivals and had national radio airplay with Paddy Garrigan and The Stroller Priests, Natural Causes, Kollega and Deep Cabaret, to name a few. He plays drums and French Horn with ceilidh band Striding Edge, one of Cumbria’s most in demand function bands and is the musical director for Off the Rails creative jazz orchestra. He co-leads More Music’s Baybeat Streetband, a vibrant community band that has performed at festivals and events across the Northwest and beyond.
“Musical influences as of today are Talking Heads, Devo, Loose Tubes, Maarja Nuut, Everything Everything, Let Spin, Neil Young, Pat Metheny, Bobby McFerrin etc.”
Who inspired me at school? “My music teachers were all incredible. They were always very caring and supportive in bringing out any enthusiasms and interests. The music department was a friendly place to hang out where people were listened to and encouraged.”
