Ben Syversen

STATS Rank: 11,636 Views: 2,055

Born: June 14, 1983 Primary Instrument: Trumpet

The anything goes, eclectic mentality of the musical melting pot of Brooklyn, NY is the perfect setting for trumpeter and composer Ben Syversen’s first album as a leader, Cracked Vessel. Making the most of the broad palette available to three musicians, the pieces in this album range from rocking vehicles for free improvisation to ethereal tone poems and long form narratives. The band builds on but quickly departs from ideas pioneered by such creative music luminaries as Tim Berne, Ellery Eskelin, and Jim Black, while drawing in sounds from experimental rock and No Wave bands like Sonic Youth and DNA, twisted takes on Americana, and sly, just beneath the surface references to Eastern European folk music.

During the nearly 3 years he has lived in Brooklyn, Ben has immersed himself fully in all that the city has to offer. In addition to performing with well established improvising musicians such as bassist Reuben Radding, he has been an active participant in the Balkan music scene, performing regularly with Raya Brass Band, Ansambl Mastika, and more. He has toured throughout the US and Japan, and has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Last Updated: August 22, 2010

This album is wildly entertaining, creative at the same time, and the guys have something to tell. A band to watch. And to enjoy.”

Free Jazz Blog

“... it’s without question one of the most deliciously intense albums of the year (it’ll be on our Best of 2010 list at the end of December).”

Lucid Culture

As a Leader

Cracked Vessel
Self Produced
2010
Tracks: Frontman; Weird Science; Bad Idea; Untitled; Krazzle; End of Time; From the Abyss; Apparition; Fried Fruit.
Personnel: Ben Syversen: trumpet; Xander Naylor: guitar; Jeremy Gustin: drums.

As A Side Musician

Raya Brass Band
Raya Brass Band
Self Produced
2009
Tracks: Di Di; Karsilamas Hrysodaktili; Sousta; Tavas Zeybek; Kateva Lenko; Dada Sali; Stankena Tehova; Aidini-Periokhi Serron/Estergon Kalesi; Pouscheno; Tasos Hasapiko; Uzicko Kolo.
Personnel: Greg Squared: saxophone and clarinet; Ben Syversen: trumpet; Matthew Fass: accordion; Don Godwin: tuba; EJ Fry: tupan.

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