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Ben Haugland

An accomplished and experienced musician, Dr. Ben Haugland has a history of musical distinction. In August 2012, he completed a Doctor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and is a recipient of nine DownBeat awards, including “Best Instrumental Jazz Soloist.” As a master’s student at the University of North Texas, he played an toured with the world renowned UNT One O’Clock Lab Band and is a featured soloist on their album Lab 2009, which received a Grammy nomination for "Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album."

Haugland’s background in jazz performance and education provided him with the inspiration to complete his dissertation, entitled “Phineas Newborn, Jr. (1931-1989): An Analysis of His Improvisational Style Through Selected Solo Transcriptions.” The study examines the musical elements that constitute the performance style of Phineas Newborn, Jr., one of the preeminent jazz pianists in history. Six select recordings are transcribed and analyzed to identify his melodic style, illustrated by a motivic catalogue with analytical commentary. Similar to the virtuoso style of jazz pianist Art Tatum, the study shows Newborn’s two-handed approach to jazz improvisation is thoroughly pianistic, and he uses various textural devices to manipulate the principle of tension and release.

An avid composer, one of Haugland’s compositions, “Lift,” won a DownBeat award for “Best Original Song.” In April 2012, Haugland released his debut album Point of No Return featuring NYC alto saxophonist Dick Oatts and bassist Jay Anderson. Through the efforts of the Dazzle record label, his album has received national radio airplay and has been ranked on the jazz charts by jazzweek.com for the past year. Haugland has also played in professional and academic settings with several prominent jazz artists including Randy Brecker, Terell Stafford, Greg Gisbert, Snooky Young, Chris Potter, Dave Pietro, Dick Oatts, Tim Warfield, Donny McCaslin, Jeff Coffin, Bob Mintzer, Steve Davis, Curtis Fuller, Jay Anderson, Chuck Berghofer, Jay Leonhardt, Billy Hart, Jeff Hamilton, Adonis Rose, Ed Soph, and John Riley.

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8
Live Review

Ben Haugland Quintet at The Falcon

Read "Ben Haugland Quintet at The Falcon" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Ben Haugland Quintet The Falcon Marlboro, NY August 13, 2015 In any given jazz performance, nothing exists in isolation, everything is subject to multiple influences, and each act or gesture has a genuine purpose. The weight of the music's tradition, the rapport and mutual respect of the players, the aura of a venue on a particular night, as well as the relationship between the performers and audience, are all part of every note executed ...

10
Album Review

Ben Haugland: A Million Dreams

Read "A Million Dreams" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


During the course of A Million Dreams, pianist Ben Haugland's second date as a leader, most of the trappings of a typical mainstream jazz record are present and easy to identify. Not unlike a lot of young leaders who are fusing their own creative aspirations with an allegiance to the tradition, Haugland penned four of the disc's eight tracks, and chose three American Standards and a Charlie Parker tune to round out the program. Another recognizable element is the presence ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Road to Nowhere

OA2 Records
2023

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A Million Dreams

Dazzle Recordings
2015

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Without a Song

From: Road to Nowhere
By Ben Haugland

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