Ben Wendel is a Grammy nominated jazz saxophonist, bassoonist, and pianist who is a founding member of the band Kneebody.[1] He has worked with Ignacio Berroa, Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Frisell, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Gerald Clayton, Taylor Eigsti, Linda May Han Oh, Eric Harland, Moonchild, Louis Cole, Daedelus, Snoop Dogg and the artist formerly known as Prince [1]
Ben Wendel | |
|---|---|
 Ben Wendel performing in 2022 Photo: Tore Sætre | |
| Background information | |
| Born | February 20, 1976 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Saxophone, bassoon |
| Labels | Motema, Brainfeeder, Concord, Sunnyside |
| Website | benwendel |
Career
editWendel was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and raised in Los Angeles.[2] Highlights include multiple domestic and international tours with artists such as Ignacio Berroa, Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Frisell,Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Gerald Clayton, Taylor Eigsti, Linda May Han Oh, Eric Harland, Moonchild, Louis Cole, Daedelus, Snoop Dogg and Prince. Ben is a founding member of the Grammy nominated group Kneebody.[3] As a composer, he has received an ASCAP Jazz Composer Award,[4] the 2008 and 2011 Chamber Music America New Works Grant,[5] and the Victor Lynch-Staunton award by the Canada Council for the Arts.[6] He co-wrote the score for John Krasinski's adaptation of David Foster Wallace's "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men". He worked with conductor Kent Nagano in producing concerts for the Festspiel Plus in Munich, Germany. From 2008 to 2015, he produced a multi-genre performance series at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California.[7] During that time he was appointed the head of their Jazz and Blues initiative. As part of this appointment, he helped to create an artistic council which included Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert and Luciana Souza. Wendel has taught jazz at USC and the New School in New York City.[8]
Most recently, Wendel has received a 2024 Grammy nomination for his 2023 album entitled "All One."
Discography
editAs leader and Co-Leader
editSource:[9]
- Simple Song (Sunnyside, 2009)
- Act (2009)
- Frame (Sunnyside, 2012)
- Small Constructions (Sunnyside, 2013)
- Act II (2015)
- What We Bring (Motema, 2016)
- The Seasons (Motema, 2018)
- High Heart (Edition, 2020)
- All One (Edition, 2023)
- Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard (2024)
- Kneebody (Koch, 2005)
- Low Electrical Worker (Jazz Engine, 2007)
- Kneebody Live: Volume One (2007)
- Twelve Songs by Charles Ives (w/ Theo Bleckmann) (2009)
- Kneebody Live: Volume Two/Italy (2009)
- You Can Have Your Moment (Winter & Winter, 2010)
- Kneebody Live: Volume Three/Paris (2011)
- The Line (Concord, 2013) – recorded in 2012
- Kneedelus (Brainfeeder, 2016)
- Anti-Hero (Motema, 2017)
- By Fire (2019)
- Chapters (Edition, 2019)
- Live at Le Crescent (2022)
As Producer
editWith Darryl Holter
- 2018: Roots and Branches
- 2015: Radio Songs
- 2012: Crooked Hearts
- 2010: West Bank Gone
- 2009: Darryl Holter
With Kneebody + Daedelus
- 2015: Kneedelus
With David Cook
- 2023: Loyal Returns
- 2015: Scenic Design
With Dan Tepfer
- 2011: Goldberg Variations/Variations
As sideman
editWith Jeremy Dutton
- 2023: Anyone is Better Than Here
With Daedelus
- 2003: Meanwhile
- 2003: Live Airplane Food
- 2003: Invention (Plug Research)
- 2003: Tigerbeasts6 Inc.
- 2003: Adventure Time
- 2002: Spacesettings
With Next.Ape
- 2023: The Fourth Wall
With Tom Ollendorff
- 2023: Open House
With Terrace Martin
- 2023: Mind Your Business
- 2020: Terrace Martin's Gray Area
With Nabate Isles
- 2023: En Motion
With Fabia Mantwill Orchestra
- 2021: EM.PERIENCE
With Bruno Schorp
- 2021: The Depths
With Gerald Clayton
- 2017: Tributary Tales
With Matt Brewer
- 2016: Unspoken
With Romain Pilon
- 2015: The Magic Eye
With David Cook
- 2023: Local Returns
- 2015: Scenic Design
With Guilhem Flouzat
- 2015: Portraits
With Phil Donkin
- 2015: The Gate
With Linda Oh
- 2017: Walk Against Wind (Biophilia)
- 2013: Sun Pictures (Greenleaf Music)
With Philip Dizack
- 2013: Single Soul
With Moonchild
- 2012: Be Free
With Todd Sickafoose
- 2008: Tiny Resistors (Cryptogramophone)
- 2006: Blood Orange (Secret Hatch)
With Tigran Hamasyan
- 2015: Mockroot (Nonesuch)
- 2014: Shadow Theater (Verve)
- 2008: Arrata Rebirth
- 2006: Word Passion
With Taylor Eigstei
- 2024: Bucket of F's
- 2008: Let It Come To You
- 2006: Lucky To Be Me (Concord Jazz)
With Otmaro Ruíz
- 2014: A Jazz Life
- 2023: Unfinished Symphony
- 2004: Dakah Live @ Grand Performances
- 2002: Scion Sampler
- 2002: Live @ The North Beach Jazz Festival
With Adam Rudolph
- 2004: Go Orchestra Web of Light (Meta)
- 2002: Go: Organic Orcehstra Vol. 01
With Good Charlotte:
- 2007: Good Morning Revival
With Marco Antonio Solís
- 2003: Trozos De Mi Alma
With Michael Whittaker
- 2006: Modern World
With Atlantiquity
- 2005: Kleeer
With Jason Mraz
- 2002: Waiting For My Rocket To Come
With others
- Christina Aguilera & Cher, Burlesque (RCA, 2010)
- Busdriver, Perfect Hair (Big Dada, 2014)
- Shane Endsley, 2nd Guess (Endsley Music 2002)
- Joel Harrison, Infinite Possibility (Sunnyside, 2013)
- The Long Lost, The Long Lost (Ninja Tune, 2009)
- Ross McHenry, Nothing Remains Unchanged (First Word 2020)
- Melissa Morgan, Until I Met You (Telarc, 2009)
- Jason Mraz, Waiting for My Rocket to Come (Elektra, 2002)
- Josh Nelson, I Hear a Rhapsody (Steel Bird Music 2009)
- Austin Peralta, Endless Planets (Brainfeeder, 2011)
References
edit- ^ "Kneebody Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Ben Wendel's Big Love of Community". downbeat.com. 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ Jazz, All About. "Ben Wendel Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Ruzinskaite, Gintare. "Ben Wendel (USA)". Good Music Company. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Ben Wendel Group". Chamber Music America. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Ben Wendel, saxophone | University of Chicago Presents". chicagopresents.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "ASCAP jazz composer award ben wendel - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Ben Wendel Quartet". Festival Internacional de Jazz (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ "Ben Wendel". Ben Wendel. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ "KNEEBODY". KNEEBODY. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- Matt Collar. "Ben Wendel | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "BIOGRAPHY". BEN WENDEL. Retrieved 29 August 2021.