Think Free Project Favorites
Apr 19th
April 19, 2010 – A big “thank you” to all who uploaded videos to the Think Free Project. Here are my favorites. The first one is by TJ Reynolds & the Freehand Orchestra from Indianapolis. The second is by Sun of Malloy (no additional info). Keep them coming folks!
New Lineup Performs at Abrons Arts Center, NYC
Apr 15th
April 15, 2010 – Thanks to all who came out to listen as I experimented with a new band lineup last weekend (April 11, 2010) at the Abrons Arts Center in New York City. I really appreciate the support (and standing-o!). Also, big thanks to Carnegie Hall who sponsored the show. They continue to have [...]
Poetry and Music
Mar 9th
March 9, 2010 – A few weeks ago I returned with my band from a fantastic US tour that included multi-day stops in Houston and Kalamazoo, a concert and residency at the University of Minnesota, Moorhead and three sets at one of our favorite clubs, the Green Mill in Chicago. We began in Houston with [...]
The Choice of an Open Door – Reflections on Obama’s First Year
Jan 25th
January 25, 2010 – With President Obama’s first State of the Union address coming this Wednesday (January 27), I couldn’t help but think back to the Bush/Cheney era and reflect a bit. During those years, like many bandleaders and musicians who tour abroad, I often was approached by people—audience members, concert promoters, club owners, journalists, [...]
WinterJazzFest – Great crowds, high energy
Jan 10th
January 10, 2010 – Last night’s Winter Jazzfest in New York City was a great experience. A big THANK YOU to all the fans who came out to see us and support live music! All the venues were packed beyond capacity. It was exciting and gratifying to have such positive creative energy in my home [...]
Man Cracks Knuckles of Left Hand for 50 years
Jan 2nd
January 2, 2010 – Whoohoo. I can continue to crack my knuckles with impunity! Musicians, you’ll be happy to hear of this experiment, carried out by a medical doctor on himself. Read full article at Scientific American. Excerpt: “For 50 years, Dr. Donald Unger, cracked the knuckles of his left hand at least twice a [...]
Video Shoot with Poet Robert Pinsky
Dec 31st
December 31, 2009 – I’m looking forward to improvising again with the great American poet Robert Pinsky on January 12. Robert was US Poet Laureate From 1997 to 2000 and is the author of 19 books of poetry and countless articles and essays. We’ll be doing a video taping for Portable Heroes, a project of [...]
Joey Arias
Dec 21st
December 21, 2009 – Legendary NYC underground performance artist Joey Arias (joeyarias.com) will be singing a tune with my band during our set at Le Poisson Rouge on Jan 9. I’ve asked him to sing the theme from the movie Philadelphia (the Neil Young one, not the Springsteen one). Count on him to bring his [...]
Spinner interview “Ben comes out of the closet”
Dec 21st
January 19, 2009 – Q: So, what does the title ‘Think Free’ mean? A: This is my “coming out” album. I’ve been living with a secret for quite a while. It’s something that most of my friends know about me, but I’ve never divulged it in public. Although at least 10% of the U.S. population [...]
Childhood, Insects and Natural Wonders
Dec 21st
December 18, 2009 – When I was a kid I was fascinated by insects. I used to hang out in an abandoned lot near my house in New Haven and collect bugs of all sorts with my friend Milos. The lot had once been the location of a hospital. The building was long gone and [...]
