Ben Paterson
circa 2019
circa 2019
Background information
Born (1982-06-23) June 23, 1982
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Piano
Websitebenpaterson.com

Ben Paterson (born June 23, 1982) is an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and Steinway Artist.

Early life

Paterson graduated from the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia after having spent his earlier years studying classical as well as jazz music. He then relocated to Chicago in 2004[1] to attend the University of Chicago.

Later life and career

Starting in 2005, Paterson began working as a pianist for Von Freeman, an NEA Jazz Master in Chicago. They performed on a regular basis until Freeman's death in August 2012.[1] In the same year, Paterson relocated to New York City to further his professional music career and gain more exposure in the jazz world.

Paterson has performed as an opening act for B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Steely Dan, at the 2010 Montreal Jazz Fest, the 2006, 2009, and 2013 Chicago Jazz Fests, the 2007, 2008, and 2011 Chicago Blues Fests, as well as shows in France, China, Switzerland, Mexico, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Paterson was the winner of the inaugural Ellis Marsalis Jazz Piano Competition, held in 2018.[2] The prize included $25,000 cash.

Starting in 2019 Paterson became one only a few jazz musicians who are designated Steinway Artists.

Paterson performed on Samara Joy's Grammy Award-winning second album, Linger Awhile, on Verve Records.[3] The album also features drummer Kenny Washington, guitarist Pasquale Grasso, and bassist David Wong.[4][5]

Discography

  • Breathing Space (OA2, 2007)
  • Blues For Oscar (Meetinghouse Records, 2012)
  • Essential Elements (Maxjazz, 2013)
  • For Once in My Life (Origin, 2015)
  • Live at Van Gelder's (Cellar Live, 2018)
  • That Old Feeling (Cellar Live, 2018)
  • I'll Be Thanking Santa (Meetinghouse Records, 2019)

Notes

  1. 1 2 Festival, Chicago Jazz (August 20, 2012). "Ben Paterson Organ Quartet". JazzInChicago. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Ellis Marsalis Jazz Piano Competition Winners Announced". JazzTimes. July 12, 2018.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Veronica (October 20, 2022). "Samara Joy: Linger Awhile (Verve)". JazzTimes. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  4. ↑ Quinn, Peter. "Samara Joy: Linger Awhile". Jazzwise. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Veronica (September 21, 2022). "Samara Joy – 'Linger Awhile'". London Jazz News. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
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