Ben Opie

STATS Rank: 16,973 Views: 1,265

Born: April 14, 1963 Primary Instrument: Saxophone

Ben Opie: reeds, electronics, composition

Based in Pittsburgh, PA

Previously leader of Water Shed 5tet (four CDs), currently leading or co-leading: Thoth Trio (intense acoustic jazz); OPEK (Sun-Ra inspired reduced-sized big band); Sound/Unsound Trio (modular compositions and improvisations), as well as other collaborations and solo performances. Member of Anthony Braxton's Tri-Centric Orchestra.

Ben's music straddles traditional and avant-garde directions, more than willing to play standards and ballads one day and open improvisation the next.

Awards:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Creative Achievement Award, 1996

Last Updated: December 31, 2010

Anthony Braxton/Ben Opie

Duets (Pittsburgh) 2008
OMP Recordings
2010
Tracks: CD1: Composition 220; CD2: Composition 340.
Personnel: Anthony Braxton: sopranino, soprano, and alto saxophones; contrabass clarinet. Ben Opie: alto and tenor saxophones; B flat and contrabass clarinets.

as leader

Thoth Speaks
Thoth Trio
OMP Recordings
2007
Tracks: Carbon 60; Dragon Breath; Noturnal; Fenya; Strontium; 101 Degrees; Maat Responds; Myelin; Thoth Speaks; Chartreuse.
Personnel: Ben Opie: saxophones, clarinet; Paul Thompson, bass; David Throckmorton, drums.

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