Ben Ferris Trio

Ben Ferris is a Bassist and Educator from Madison, WI. A student of NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis, he graduated with a music-education degree from UW-Madison in 2013. Ben performs regularly in the midwest, especially with the Ben Ferris Quintet, a creative music ensemble that focuses on new compositions by musicians in the band. The group recently released their debut album, “Home,” featuring five original compositions by Ben and four additional original pieces written for the group. A self-release, it is available exclusively as CD. He also leads the Ben Ferris Octet, a group that plays a diverse selection of jazz repertoire. Ben plays and writes music for “Mr Chair,” a contemporary ensemble of electronic trombone (Mark Hetzler), keyboard (Jason Kutz), percussion (Mike Koszewski) and electronic upright bass. As a sideman, Ben performs with Edi Rey y Su Salsera (Columbian Salsa, Cha-Cha, Cumbia and more), Nuggernaut (jazz-funk), The Jon Hoel Trio (original compositions with saxophone led trio), Gabe Burdulis Band (Nashville based original pop/rock music), The Big Payback, the Neophonic Jazz Orchestra (formerly a branch of the Stan Kenton Orchestra), The New Hyperion Jazz Orchestra, as well as a number of performances in the classical, jazz, rock and contemporary music scenes. As an educator, Ben teaches K-5 general music and strings at Winnequah Elementary School in Monona, individual bass students, with Madison Music Makers, and directs the Madison Suzuki Ensemble class. Ben enjoys biking and bird-watching. More info can be found on his website, www.bferrisbass.com.