Tubist and composer, Ben Stapp, is on the forefront in New York’s creative music scene. With his debut CD release featuring Tony Malaby and Satoshi Takeishi, he has received a critic’s pic from the New York Times. All About Jazz praised, “most certainly one to watch,” and “a debut of a fresh new sound.”
TV appearances include CNBC with the NYJA All Stars and the Cissy Gram Show with Maud in Cahoots.
While living in Europe, he played in numerous Euro/international festivals including Festival do Sodeste, Gulbenkian August Music Festival, Festival of New Music in Krems and the Barcelos Music Festival. Radio Europa caught sight of his success and featured him with a 45 -minute interview where he spoke about his music and his life in Portugal.
He has recorded for Clean Feed in Portugal, Dakah Hip Hop Orchestra in LA, Franz Hautzinger in Austria, James Gourlay in England, and more.
Living in New York as an active musician, Ben Stapp now plays and subs with such tuba luminaries like Howard Johnson and Bob Stewart. He has toured/played with such diverse groups as: Brother Joscephus, Sanda Weigl, the Tisch Brass Ensemble, Lehman Faculty Brass Quintet, the High and Mighty Brass Band, Chia’s Dance Party, and more. Ben also directs and composes for his large ensemble, the Zozimos Collective.
He studied with his mentor, the late Tommy Johnson (voice of the Jaws' theme and more) at UCLA. In LA he was awarded a fellowship to play principal tuba in the Henri Mancini Orchestra. Ben obtained his masters from RNCM in Manchester, England where he studied with tuba legend Roger Bobo, and for composition, Anthony Gilbert.
Awards:
Henri Mancini Fellowship 2002
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