Ben Markley - Pianist, Composer/Arranger, Educator

Welcome to www.benmarkleymusic.com! If you'd like more information about upcoming gigs or new charts for big band or vocal jazz ensemble, please join my email list. Thanks for stopping by.

Keep Swingin!

Ben

Front Range Drive at Nocturne - Fridays in May 

I'm looking forward to playing with my new group, Front Range Drive this Friday, May 3rd and every Friday in May at Nocturne with Peter Sommer, Wil Swindler, Steve Kovalcheck, Seth Lewis, and Dru Heller . New music and brand new arrangements written for this group. Join us! 6:30pm-10:30pm Fridays in May. We'll also have some great subs including my old buddy from NYU Heath Walton as well as Ryan Leppich, Jack Roben, Dougan Smith, and Jack Harrington. 

Ben Markley Quartet featuring Joel Frahm 

Last week I had a blast recording with great musicians and friends Joel Frahm, Jim White, and Marty. We played some schools and small towns in Wyoming and finished up at Muse Performance Space In Lafayette. The band recorded on the final day at Mighty Fine Studios. I'm looking forward to releasing the results on OA2 records this summer. 

Here's a clip of an original of mine The Last time this happened from our concert at the University of Wyoming on Monday, February 25. 

 

Basic Economy featuring Greg Osby drops 5/18! 

Basic Economy - Ben Markley Quartet featuring Greg Osby, Evan Gregor, and Dru Heller arrives May 18 on OA2 records. 

As the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed Big Band recording, 'Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton,' pianist Ben Markley presents this spirited and thoroughly modern quartet session of original compositions, featuring alto saxophone great Greg Osby. Inspired by their developing musical relationship over the last four years, Markley composed a set of music with Osby in mind, followed by a tour and this recording. With the crisp and fully engaged support of bassist Evan Gregor and drummer Dru Heller, the effect of Markley and Osby's fluid rapport creates an inspired argument for further exploration. ''Basic Economy' is a vivid presentation of the sound of today, with a healthy nod to the institutions of chance and imagination. ' - Greg Osby

Ben Markley Big Band with Joel Frahm 

 

Just putting the finishing touches on an arrangement of Joel's original What's Your Beat?  

New Music with a great band! 

Check us Out! 

2/3 Dazzle Ben Markley Big Band featuring Joel Frahm. 
Dazzle Jazz Club. Denver, CO. Sets at 6pm and 8:30pm 
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED  
Tickets: https://dazzledenver.com/ 

2/4 Joel Frahm with the UW Faculty Jazz Trio. 
University of Wyoming 7:30pm BCPA Recital Hall. 
Free Admission 
w/ Gonzalo Teppa and Ed Breazeale.  

2/6 Kinser Jazz Festival Ben Markley Big Band featuring Joel Frahm. 
Casper, WY. 
Tickets: http://www.caspercollegejazz.com/ 

Ben Markley Big Band 

Wil Swindler 
Scott Turpen 
Peter Sommer 
Samuel G Williams 

Greg Gisbert 
Gabriel Mervine 2/3 
Dan Jonas 2/6 
John Lake 
Alan Hood 

Michael Conrad 2/3 
Scott Crump 2/6 
Paul McKee 
Adam Bartczak 
Gary Mayne 

Steve Kovalcheck 
Ben Markley 
Ken Walker 
Jim White

Ben Markley Music 2018 Gigs and News  

2018 is off to a great start!

On Saturday, January 6th the Ben Markley Big Band performed on the evening concert of the Jazz Education Network conference. The band was joined by guests Terell Stafford and Jeff Hamilton and played selections from their recording Clockwise:The Music of Cedar Walton. This recording had a wonderful year. It received much acclaim and most recently was voted one of the best 4 star albums of 2017 by DownBeat magazine.

Upcoming Performance Dates:

* Saturdays at Ace Gillett’s - Ben Markley Trio with Seth Lewis and John Olson

2/3 - Dazzle Jazz - Ben Markley Big Band w/ Joel Frahm

2/4 - University of Wyoming Faculty Jazz Trio w/ Joel Frahm

2/6 - Kinser Jazz Festival (Casper College) - Ben Markley Big Band w/ Joel Frahm

2/28 - Nocturne  - Peter Sommer Septet

4/4 - Nocturne - Pete Zimmer Quartet

4/26 - Sheridan College

9/17 - Dizzy's Club Coca Cola - Ben Markley Big Band featuring Terell Stafford

 

 

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Dazzle @ Bauers, 1512 Curtis St., Denver

Wil Swindler – alto/soprano saxophones Peter Sommer – tenor saxophone April Johannesen – bass clarinet Tom Myer – flute/alto flute Dawn Kramer – trumpet/flugelhorn Gabe Mervine – trumpet/flugelhorn Darren Kramer – trombone Susan McCullough – horn Ben Markley – piano Matt Smiley – bass Dru Heller – drums