Biog
Ben Gilbert was born in Surrey in October 1980. He took up the piano at an early age and was Classically trained until he reached 17 when he discovered the sounds of Jazz. He chose to take his studies further in 1999 when he began a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz, Popular and Commercial Music.
He has regularly performed throughout the North East of England as a solo artist; with The Blofeld Experiment, Extreme Measures, The Ben Gilbert Trio; with vocalists Patsy Burn, Lindsay Hanon, Zoe Gilby and Ruth Lambert and with various other ensembles for all kinds of events from jam sessions to weddings to awards ceremonies. He has also accompanied The Suggestibles, an improvised comedy group who have received national acclaim.
Following the completion of the BMus in 2002 Ben began working for North Music Trust at The Sage Gateshead and up to August 2009 has been principle Jazz Piano teacher for the prestigious Weekend School and has been Project Leader and Coordinator for the Jazz for Everyone education programme which included planning and organisation of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival’s workshops and education events.
Ben is currently teaching around Kingston and Richmond Upon Thames, working at St Mary’s University College as a visiting lecturer in Music, and performing on the London Jazz scene (check the Gigs tab for info).