Ben Sher is a unique jazz guitarist. Fluent in the classic jazz tradition of Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson, Ben also draws from the rich Brazilian guitar tradition of Baden Powell ,Raphael Rabello and Joao Gilberto. Ben combines standard jazz plectrum technique, with classical fingerstyle, to create a wide range of sounds and textures. Ben has four recordings as a leader on BGI Records: Handprints, is contemporary mainstream jazz featuring the great drummer from the Hernbie Hancock and the Headhunter’s group Mike Clark, pianist Bruce Barth , and Dennis Irwin. TudoBem’ and “Please Take me to Brasil’ are Brazilian jazz featuring Ben’s group TudoBem and special guest Fred Hersch (on TudoBem) and Kenny Barron (on “Pleas Take Me…”). Go to http://www.bgirercords.com to hear excerpts from these recordings. In addition, Ben is a member of the group “Ballin-the Jack” a ‘downtown’ jazz group which bases it’s repetoire in the music of early Duke Ellington. Ben has recorded two cds with this group, “Jungle’, and “The Big Head”, both on Knitting Factory Records. (visit http://www.knittingfactory.com to find out more) The group has performed at the North Sea ,Marsala, and most recently the Berlin Jazz Festival.
