Born: October 7, 1962 Primary Instrument: Sax, tenor
Ben Schachter is a powerful and original saxophonist and composer. As a leader, he has six recordings on his own label, with more to come. He has performed and recorded in the U.S., Europe, and Asia with; Sam Rivers, Tim Hagans, Conrad Herwig, John Zorn, Dave Douglas, Gary Bartz, Dick Oatts, Jef Lee Johnson, Terell Stafford, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Uri Caine, George Garzone, Marc Ribot, John Swana, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Burhan Ocal, Jack Walrath, etc. As a composer, Ben has been recognized with grants from the American Composers Forum (2003), Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2001 & 2005), and Pew Fellowships in the Arts (1999). A Philadelphia native, he has been cited in his hometown press as “Best Jazz Artist” and “Best Saxophonist”. Ben has been active in education for many years. He taught at Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) from 1986-88, at Bucks County Community College (Newtown, PA) from 1991-96, and has been a clinician at other colleges and Universities. In Philadelphia he taught at Temple University from 1993 - 2010, and at The University of the Arts from 2004 - 2010. Ben now lives in San Diego, CA.
Awards:
As a composer, Ben has been recognized with grants from the American Composers Forum (2003), Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (2001 & 2005), andPew Fellowships in the Arts (1999). Philadelphia CityPaper: "Best Jazz Artist"(1999) and "Hottest Saxophonist"(2001)
“...a new style of freedom and democracy.” JazzTimes
“...beautifully arranged interludes offset by passages of boundless improvising...something special is happening here.” JazzImprov
“...the power of...Dave Holland...or Steve Coleman...the authority of Joe Lovano...” Cadence
“...advanced harmonic capabilities and fluid, sure-fire rhythmic drive....a personal and present-tense sound.” Philadelphia CityPaper
“...Schachter writes peppery tunes that tapdance on the subconscious before his searing saxophone takes over to blow down the house.” Philadelphia Inquirer
“...artistic prowess...reams of finely-honed phrases that contain a trace of lyricism within their full-bodied texture.” Cadence
“...has a fire in his soul that he vents through angular, topsy-turvy modified bop explosions.” Philadelphia CityPaper
“...Ben Schachter's Sung/Unsung will blow your mind.” Philadelphia Arts Writers
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Primary Instrument:
Sax, tenor
Location:
San diego, CA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
Study with Ben at your convenience via SKYPE!
Ben has been active in education for many years. He taught at Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) from 1986-88, at Bucks County Community College (Newtown, PA) from 1991-96, at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) from 1993 - 2010, and at The University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA) from 2004 - 2010. He has been a clinician at other colleges and Universities including Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Rotterdam Conservatory, Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, Rowan University, Istanbul University, Westchester University, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, etc. Ben now lives in San diego, CA.
Ben is offering lessons via SKYPE for all instrumentalists, all levels in the subjects of improvisation, jazz theory, and of course, saxophone.
For information regarding private study, contact: ben@sungunsung.com
Clinic/Workshop Information:
IMPROVISATION:
These clinics represent a unique approach to studying and practicing the art of improvisation. Through experiences teaching improvisation as a professor at Temple University and the University of the Arts to all levels of students - from beginning improvisors to advanced graduate students - a novel method of "demystifying" the act of improvisation has been developed. Emphasis is placed on fundamental instrumental and theoretical skills being employed in a personal and creative manner to offer the student the liberating (indeed spiritual) experience of improvising meaningful music.
THE MUSIC OF THELONIOUS MONK:
I have long been fascinated by the music of this great Master. I have studied, analyzed, taught, interpreted, arranged, adapted and performed this music for years. Let's talk about Monk!
SMALL GROUP PERFORMANCE:
Working with ensembles from Duo to Octet developing concepts of interaction, arrangement, improvisation, instrumental "role reversal", etc.
I have conducted clinics and masterclasses at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College, Rotterdam Conservatory, Royal Conservatory of Den Haag, Rowan State University, Istanbul University, Westchester University...
