Ben Bierman is a Brooklyn-based trumpet player, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. In his compositions he incorporates elements of jazz, blues, Latin music, and the Western art music tradition. His music can be heard on Some Takes On the Blues (Plaza Street Music PSM 101, 2019) and on Beyond Romance: Songs by Ben Bierman (New Focus Recordings FCR 141, 2013).
As a trumpet player, Ben has performed with a wide array of artists, including Johnny Copeland, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Pacheco, Machito, Johnny Colon, Archie Shepp, and Arthur Blythe. He is the author of Listening to Jazz (Oxford University Press), has essays in numerous books and journals, and is an Associate Professor at John Jay College, City University of New York. Ben considers all of these activities to be important parts of who he is as a musician.
"Some Takes on the Blues is calm, controlled and thoughtful. But Bierman also balances that out with a fierce enthusiasm that only a true jazz musician can lay out, something that probably resulted from sharing the stage with everyone from Johnny Copeland to B. B. King to Stevie Ray Vaughn to Archie Shepp." The Vinyl Anachronist
About Some Takes On the Blues: "A really bubbler of a date where jazz and the kitchen sink embrace, just remember he did it all for you. A four on the floor kind of date that takes you to every corner of jazz and modern blues, your ears will thank you for giving it a spin. Well done." Midwest Record
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"Some Takes on the Blues is calm, controlled and thoughtful. But Bierman also balances that out with a fierce enthusiasm that only a true jazz musician can lay out, something that probably resulted from sharing the stage with everyone from Johnny Copeland to B. B. King to Stevie Ray Vaughn to Archie Shepp." The Vinyl Anachronist
About Some Takes On the Blues: "A really bubbler of a date where jazz and the kitchen sink embrace, just remember he did it all for you. A four on the floor kind of date that takes you to every corner of jazz and modern blues, your ears will thank you for giving it a spin. Well done." Midwest Record
About Some Takes On the Blues: "Ben Bierman wears a wide variety of hats on this multi-colored album. He plays trumpet, keyboards, guitars and bass while also composing the material.His trumpet tone is warm on the swinging “Bolero Blues” and plunges deep with guitar and bass on “Carmel Meets Shrader.” His Harmon mute teams with CTI-flavored keyboards on a soulful “Let’s Chill One” and “Pretty Blues.” His guitar work is equally impressive, sounding rural on “Leo’s Rag” and sliding into second on a gritty trumpet and strings “AC Shuffle.” Plugged in guitar takes you to Chicago on a deep dish “Valeria Street Blues” and Latin joys bounce on “Dum Dee Dim.” Ambitious but unpretentious." Jazz Weekly
About Some Takes On the Blues: This is a very good blues album which is slightly different than your typical blues affair. Perhaps its Bierman’s trumpet work that sets it apart from others in the genre. “Pretty Blues” is just that, a lovely little blues ballad, very laid back and chill. The expressive trumpet work and Bierman’s tasteful keyboards percolating at a leisurely pace make this one of my favourite tracks. Another highlight is the fantastic finger picked guitar in “Leo’s Rag,” reminding me a little of some of Mark Knopfler’s solo work. Bierman’s guitar skills are certainly noticed here. The traditional sounding “Valeria Street Blues” again features Reiss’ excellent guitar work along with Bierman’s ever present trumpet blasts. Some Take On The Blues is an excellent, you guessed it, blues album. One that I will be playing for some time to come." Sea of Tranquility
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