Ben McCabe

Ben plays drums, French Horn and sings, he plays in numerous bands across genres from rock, folk, jazz, electronica and world music. He leads More Music’s Early Years programme and is the project manager for our family friendly festivals in Morecambe, which includes the Catch The Wind Kite Festival and the West End Festival. He also programmes the gigs at More Music and had 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.

As a drummer, French horn player and singer, 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.  He is the musical director of Off The Rails creative jazz orchestra. He leads More Music’s Baybeat Streetband, a vibrant community samba band that has performed at festivals and events across the Northwest

“My signature workshop is group composition, making pieces that give everyone a chance to contribute. It’s about musical play and not having a plan, just making music that represents us. “

“My major musical influences are Talking Heads, Devo, Loose Tubes, 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.”