Ben Markley

Holy Land


Holy Land was first recorded by Cedar Walton in 1973 on the record  The Cedar Walton Trio - A Night At Boomers, Vol. 1 (today both volumes are on one CD or digital download). This record features Clifford…Read more

Clockwise 


Clockwise is one of Cedar Walton's most challenging compositions. The chord changes to the A section of the tune provide insight into some of Cedar's compositional tools and also reiterate the influence of Art Tatum. The A section features…Read more

Ballads - I'll Let You Know

In addition to talking about the ballads Walton played and composed, I wanted to talk a little about some of his influences. Solo piano performances as well as ballads (whether in the trio or…Read more

I'm Not So Sure

Jazz music in the late 60s and into 70s began to use electric instruments. Many pianists started to play rhodes and other keyboards. In 1969 Cedar released a recording on Prestige titled Soul Cycle.



in…Read more

Black

Cedar Walton has played with some of the greatest tenor players in the history of jazz music. Players including Clifford Jordan, George Coleman, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and Junior Cook. 

Cedar contributed many compositions to bands and…Read more

Hi Folks,

There are 10 days until the Ben Markley Big Band featuring Terell Stafford plays Cedar Walton. I thought I'd share a Cedar tune and recording that 1) is a favorite of mine and 2) that I did an…Read more

This project has been a long time in the works! On Sunday, July 31 at 7pm, the Ben Markley Big Band featuring Terell Stafford plays the music of jazz legend Cedar Walton at Dazzle Jazz Club. Walton is famous for…Read more

I'm happy to be playing some of music of Cedar Walton on Wednesday, April 6 at the University of Wyoming in concert with Erik Applegate on bass and Chris Smith on drums. 7:30pm University of Wyoming BCPA Concert Hall. Free…Read more

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to let you know about some exciting gigs coming up in the next few weeks as well as some new additions to my website. 

Friday, October 16 - Josh Quinlan Q'tet with Greg Osby 
Dazzle Jazz…Read more

I've started a Youtube channel and hope you'll take a minute to check out some of the music from my most recent performance with strings. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbYPaQ23_ORRKa_nNBHjO-8gEM1TGPiuo

Here is one of the pieces Tune for the Deserted. Enjoy!


 
 

Wyoming Public Radio will be doing a feature for my concert this evening. Their program airs at 11:15am MST. You can listen from this link http://wyomingpublicmedia.org/

They'll also be giving away some of my CDs (The Return) during their pledge…Read more