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Ben McDonnell

Guitarist Ben McDonnell has been based in London since he graduated from Leeds College of Music in 2004. In that time Ben has performed and recorded for countless bands and venues. He has performed all over the world as far afield as Asia with Mongolian star Naran in Ulan-Bator, Mongolia, but also closer to home in numerous clubs and bars as well as more notable venues such as the Royal Albert Hall. In addition to playing and composing for his own band Aleph Trio with Ben Bastin and Chris Packham, Ben also plays with the Jeremy Lyons Quartet, pop act Glass Pear and singer Neil Vezina.

Ben teaches guitar at Blackheath Conservatoire of the Arts and Haverstock School. Ben also runs Pocket Tiger Records and has written a book to help students practise the guitar.

Ben is also the only person (as far as he knows) fool enough to take a guitar to Everest base camp.. you can read about it on Fenders website!

Tags

2
Album Review

Ben McDonnell: Aleph Trio

Read "Aleph Trio" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Guitarist Ben McDonnell's Aleph Trio takes its name from a story by Jorge Luis Borge involving a poet who “discovers a point in space which contains all other points." Aleph Trio, likewise, explores and exploits all points present within McDonnell's compositions on its self-titled debut EP. Cyclical thoughts, complex colors, light and airy textures, and dark and brooding pathways are all present during this brief and compelling production. Some of the music is episodic and kaleidoscopic in ...

3
Album Review

Ben McDonnell: Aleph Trio

Read "Aleph Trio" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Featuring the building blocks of free improvisation and an earthy rock music persuasion, London based guitarist Ben McDonnell presents his engaging Aleph Trio, a bold set that's both aesthetically pure and melodically pleasing. Its in-the-moment vibe feels like a live studio recording that highlights the trio's vigor, inventiveness, and cohesiveness. The set maintains its intimacy and rawness found in the opener “A Walk In The Rain" where McDonnell's deft facility of combining complex chord structures, exploring runs, ...

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2

Recording

Aleph Trio Ep Release Available at BandCamp

Aleph Trio Ep Release Available at BandCamp

Source: Ben McDonnell

Ben Mcdonnell's 'Aleph Trio' release their first CD in April. Composer Ben Mcdonnell formed the Aleph Trio to not only serve as a platform for his own compositions but also to allow for the exploration of a wide range of music that shapes their own individual musical identities. Ben’s own compositions encompass his experiences and reactions to people, places and situations, both near and far. Whether writing about the burning funeral pyres in Nepal (Track 5, The Ghats) or a ...

‘Modern jazz with a dash of Hendrix’ – The EDP
Primary Instrument

Guitar, electric

Location

London

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Experience: Kingston University, Eccles Hall School, Roundhay Music Services, Blackheath Conservatoire, Private Tuition, jazz editor for alloutguitar.com, guitar lecturer for Ulaanbaatar Jazz School, Mongolia, Brent Music Service

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Aleph Trio

Pocket Tiger Records
2013

buy

Rue St Dennis

From: Aleph Trio
By Ben McDonnell

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