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BRIAN BENDER

World Music That Uplifts Your Body and Soul

About Me


CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR CD/MP3 STORE
BRIAN BENDER & THE WORLD BEATNIKS
"Urban Jungle"
Reggae • Afrobeat • Calypso • Samba
Middle Eastern • Funk • Blues
with special guests:
Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) - guitar, bass
Adam Deitch (John Scofield, Lettuce) - drums
Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) - saxophone
Jose Gonzalez (Bando Criolla) - guitar, cuatro
Hilary Noble (Enclave) - congas
BRIAN BENDER & LITTLE SHOP OF HORAS
"Eyn Velt"
Original and Traditional Jewish Melodies blended with Latin, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern rhythms
with special guests:
Frank London (Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave) - trumpet
Alicia Svigals (Klezmatics, Mikveh) - violin
Charles Neville (Neville Brothers) - saxophone
Stuart Brotman (Brave Old World) - bass
Grant Smith (Klezmer Conservatory Band) - drums
Raquy Danziger (the Cavemen) - middle eastern percussion
Backa Niang (Gokhi-Bi System) - african percussion
CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR CD/MP3 STORE

Hi and thanks for visiting my page!
I am a professional musician (trombone, keyboards, melodica, trumpet, vocals, percussion) and composer based in the Northeastern USA. I have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Israel, West Africa (Cape Verde Islands), Alaska and throughout the United States. I perform frequently at clubs, festivals, schools, concerts, parties, etc. throughout New England, New York and beyond.
Over the past 15 years, I have performed extensively with a wide variety of bands, including Black Rebels (African Reggae), The Wholesale Klezmer Band (Jewish Folk Music), Big Bandemonium (Celtic), the Pangeans (World Beat), O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian All-Stars (Afrobeat), Kotoja (Afrobeat, Juju), Shokazoba (Afrobeat), the World Beat Ensemble (World Music), the Berkshire Bateria Escola De Samba (Brazilian), La Perfecta (Salsa/Merengue), Revelacion (Latin Jazz), Di Bostoner Klezmer (Jewish Folk Music), the Brown Bag Guzzlers (Blues), Beans and Rice (Blues), The West End Blues Band (Blues), the Gumbo Jumbo Dixieland Band (Traditional Jazz), the Brian Bender Jazz Group (Jazz), Jaya The Cat (Ska), Lucky Seven (Ska), Jazzotree (Jazz/Poetry), Ibrahima Camera's World Beat (African), and others.
With the African Reggae group Black Rebels I opened up for The Wailers, Burning Spear, Culture, Israel Vibration, Toots and the Maytals and Steel Pulse at a variety of major Reggae festivals. With the Wholesale Klezmer Band I have performed at Carnegie Hall and the Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton. In December of 1999 I performed in a world music festival at the Great Pyramids in Egypt. I have also performed in numerous tribute concerts for the legendary jazz bandleader Sun Ra at venues such as the Knitting Factory (NYC) and the Southern University of New Orleans with Michael Ray, Kidd Jordan, Trudy Morse, Gunter Hampel, Billy Bang and others. In 1989 I was asked by Art Blakey to “sit in” with the Jazz Messengers at the Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA).
Here are some website links of bands that I currently play with:
Little Shop of Horas
Original and Traditional Jewish Melodies blended with Latin, Caribbean, African and Middle Eastern Rhythms
The Pangeans
Latin Jazz, Samba, Calypso, Funk, Afrobeat, Reggae
Yiddishkeit Klezmer Ensemble
Traditional Eastern European Jewish Folk Music
The Riddim Makers
Original and Classic Reggae
The Wholesale Klezmer Band
Traditional Eastern European Jewish Folk Music
Beans and Rice
Blues and Funk
Alicia Svigals Klezmer Party Band
Traditional Eastern European Folk Music
Gumbo Jumbo Dixieland Band
New Orleans Jazz
Di Bostoner Klezmer
Traditional Eastern European Folk Music
Fiddle Hill
Irish/Scottish/French Canadian fiddle music
Big Bandemonium
Irish/Scottish/French Canadian/New England Fiddle Music with horn section
Brian Bender Jazz Group
Straight-Ahead Jazz
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/18/2006
Band Website: BrianBender.com
Influences: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Israel Vibration, Augustus Pablo, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Herbie Mann, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Oum Kalthoum, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rico Rodriguez, Don Drummond, Carlos Santana
Sounds Like:Matisyahu, Fela Kuti, Antibalas, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Oum Kalthoum, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Augustus Pablo, Rico Rodriguez, Don Drummond, Steve Turre, Pharaoh's Daughter, Raquy and the Cavemen, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Putumayo, Mawaal, The Klezmatics, J.J. Johnson, Slide Hampton, Soulive, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Israel Vibration, Herbie Mann

- CD REVIEWS -

“I have received your CDs and they are FANTASTIC!! Everything from the art on the CD jackets to the liner notes to the music on the CDs is first class. I have already scheduled several tracks to use on my music program on WNWR and wnwr.com in Philadelphia. My listeners are in store for a real treat when they hear the fresh and exuberant sound of your music. Your blending of the rhythms and the combination of traditional and new selections makes for a wonderfully varied and delightful listening experience. Thanks for the great new additions to my playlist!!”
- Barry Reisman
Program Host
WNWR AM 1540
(Philadelphia, USA)

"Love the music…I can’t wait to put them on the JazzXpress playlist. Amazing fusion of genres….YES! YES! YES!"
- Helen Simons
JazzXpress 94.1FM Jazz Radio
(Queensland, Australia)

"On the aptly titled ‘Eyn Velt’ (which means ‘One World’), Brian Bender achieves several landmarks. For one, he gathers some of the greatest Klezmer and non-Klezmer musicians in the world, including trumpeter Frank London and violinist Alicia Svigals of the Klezmatics and the saxophonist Charles Neville of the famed New Orleans group, the Neville Brothers. The dozens of other musicians on hand from all traditions testify to Bender’s universal musical world-view, as does the music they make: World Music with Jewish roots."
- Seth Rogovoy
author of ‘The Essential Klezmer’
Host of “The Klezmer Hour” radio show

"I am the music manager for radio station PBS FM Melbourne Australia. We have just received your wonderful CDs "Urban Jungle" and "Eyn Velt". Certainly two highly stylish CDs, incredibly sublime yet subtle, explorative, with exquisite composition choice and orchestration. These CDs are very passionate and intimate with colorful mood changes all joining together to create a vast musical tapestry of styles. The compositions you have chosen are stunning interpretations accentuated by your playing and by your very talented band, minimalist in nature at times but very rhythmic so as to not distract from the beauty of your playing. Your passion for the music shines through every note played, a truly wonderful partnership. World music-inspired Jazz is one of our most listened to and leading styles here at this station and in this city."
- Peter Merritt
PBS FM (Melbourne, Australia)

“Brian Bender….the most-requested Klezmer trombone in the Northeast USA”
“Bender's trombone is an entire horn section, when needed, by himself.”
- Ari Davidov, Klezmershack

"Eyn Velt lovingly brings back the rhythms and sounds of our ancestors as the sounds of today. Some wonderful unexpected twists, like a tangy latin version of the yiddish chestnut "Shloimele, Malkele" and a Rastafarian approach to a traditional Bobover Hasidic processional."
- Dr. Hankus Netsky, New England Conservatory of Music
Director, Klezmer Conservatory Band
Pioneer of the Klezmer revival

“I find your sound very interesting. You really mix the rhythms in a nice way and the arrangements are very effective. And you did not lose the precious traditional melodies.”
- Carlos Kibrit, YiddishMusic.com
(internet radio station based in Sao Paulo, Brazil)

“Oy, I’ve been looking everywhere for this CD!”
- Elijah T. Prophet

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF INTERNATIONAL RADIO STATIONS PLAYING THESE CDs


Here is a partial list of venues where I have performed:

- FESTIVALS -:

Gathering of the Vibes
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Red Hook, NY)
Wormtown Music Fest
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Hadle y, MA)
Berkshire Music Fest
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Great Barrington, MA)
Baia Des Gatos Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Cape Verde, West Africa)
Vermont Reggae Fest
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Burli ngton, VT)
Green River Fest
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Green field, MA)
Bloomfield Drum Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bloom field, CT)
Drums Around The World
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA)
Hot Summer Nights
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA)
Adirondack Music Fest
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Lyons dale, NY)
Drumming in the New Millenium Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Great Pyramids, Egypt)
Inauguration of President Bill Clinton
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Washi ngton, DC)
World Peace and Prayer Day
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Ameni a, NY)
Falcoln Ridge Folk Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Hinsd ale, MA)
Old Songs Folk Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Altam ont, NY)
New England Reggae Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(RI)
Bread and Roses Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Lawre nce, MA)
Charlemont Reggae Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Charl emont, MA)
New England Folk Festival of the Arts
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Natic k, MA)
Cambridge River Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Cambr idge, MA)
Camp Kinderland
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Tolla nd, MA)
Porter-Phelps Huntington Museum
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Hadle y, MA)
Maine Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Portl and, ME)
International Festival of Arts and Ideas
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New Haven, CT)
Reggae Sunsplash
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Green sboro, NC)
Greensboro Justice Foundation Festival
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Green sboro, NC)

- HAS OPENED UP FOR -:

Maceo Parker
Burning Spear
The Wailers
Israel Vibration
Culture
Lucky Dube
The Itals
Peter, Paul and Mary
Pete Seeger
Jean Richie
Sweet Honey and the Rock
Toots and the Maytals

- CONCERTS -:

Great American Music Hall
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(San Francisco, CA)
National Yiddish Bookcenter
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA)
Carnegie Hall
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New York, NY)
Jordan Hall
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
Yung Yiddish
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Jerus alem, Israel)
Zeitgeist
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n)
First Night
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
First Night
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North ampton, MA)
First Night
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Worce ster, MA)
First Night
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Hartf ord, CT)
Libraries all over New England....
The Towers
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(RI)
Artbank
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Shelb urne Falls, MA)
World Peace and Prayer Sanctuary
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Ameni a, NY)
The Roxy Theatre
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
Workmen’s Circle
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Phila delphia, PA)
Eisenhower Park
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Hemps tead, NY)
Berkshire Museum
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Pitts field, MA)
Claremont Opera House
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Clare mont, NH)
Full Moon Coffehouse
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Wende ll, MA)
Utica Monday Nights
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Utica , NY)
92nd St. YMCA
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New York, NY)
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Newar k, NJ)

CLUBS:

Iron Horse
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North ampton, MA)
Pearl Street
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North ampton, MA)
Johhny D’s
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
Club Metronome
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Burli ngton, VT)
The Western Front
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
Ashkenaz
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Berke ley, CA)
The Hotel Utah
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(San Francisco, CA)
The Full Moon Saloon
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(San Francisco, CA)
The Knitting Factory
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New York, NY)
S.O.B.’s
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New York, NY)
Satalla
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New York, NY)
Club Passim
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Cambr idge, MA)
The Folkway
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Peter borogh, NH)
Café Lena
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Sarat oga Springs, NY)
Club Helsinki
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Great Barrington, MA)
Fire and Water
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North ampton, MA)
CAV Coffehouse
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Provi dence, RI)
Tonic
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New York, NY)
The Empty Glass
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Charl otte, NC)
Town Crier
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Pawli ng, NY)

- RADIO APPEARANCES -:

Jack Falk’s Radio Hour
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Portl and, OR)
Numerous stations in North and South Carolina
UMASS Amherst
WERS
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
National Public Radio
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Chica go, IL)
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Inter viewed about Klezmer Music)
WJCT
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Jacks onville, Florida)
WFCR
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA) “Valley Folk”
WMUA
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA)
WAMC
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Alban y, NY)
WRSI
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Green field, MA)

- COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES -:

Brandeis University
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Walth am, MA)
Fitchburg State College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Fitch burg, MA)
Greenfield Community College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Green field, MA)
Hampshire College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA) <brHolyoke Community College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Holyo ke, MA)
Lyndonville State College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Montp elier, VT)
Mount Holyoke College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(South Hadley, MA)
Northeastern University
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bosto n, MA)
Simon’s Rock College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Great Barrington, MA)
Smith College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North ampton, MA)
UC Berkeley
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Berke ley, CA)
UMASS Amherst
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Amher st, MA)
Westfield State College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Westf ield, MA)
Quinnipiac College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(New Haven, CT)
Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO)
Grinnel University (NY)
Landmark College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Putne y, VT)
Wesleyan University
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Middl etown, CT)
University of Connecticut
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Storr s, CT)
North Adams State College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North Adams, MA)
Western New England College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Sprin gfield, MA)
Dartmouth College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Hanov er, NH)
Princeton University
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Princ eton, NJ)
Franklin Pierce College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Rindg e, NH)
School for International Training
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Bratt leboro, VT)
Berkshire Community College
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Pitts field, MA)
University of Iowa at Iowa City
Guilford College

- SCHOOLS/CAMPS -:

Williston-Northampton School
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Easth ampton, MA)
Suffield Academy
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Suffi eld, CT)
Berkshire Hills Music Academy
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(South Hadley, MA)
Deerfield Academy
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Deerf ield, MA)
The Putney School
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Putne y, VT)
Northfield Mount Hermon
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North field, MA)
Erving Elementary School
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Ervin g, MA)
Jackson Street School
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(North ampton, MA)
Camp Kinderland
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp(Tolla nd, MA)

- COMMUNITY CENTERS -:

JCC Springfield, MA
JCC Jacksonville, FL
JCC New Haven, CT
JCC Newton, MA
JCC Portland, OR
JCC Iowa
JCC Omaha, Nebraska
JCC Allentown, PA

Record Label: Turn The Tables
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

NEW LITTLE SHOP OF HORAS CD REVIEW ON KLEZMER PODCAST

Keith Wolzinger from Klezmer Podcast just posted this blog : Tuesday, March 04, 2008 ..> ..> Review Category: Music Review: Eyn VeltBrian Bender and Little Shop Of HorasBrian Bender has an advent...
Posted by BRIAN BENDER on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:38:00 PST

A GREAT DAY ON ELDRIDGE STREET KLEZMER PHOTO

"A GREAT DAY ON ELDRIDGE STREET" On Friday, October 12, 2007, The Eldridge Street Project assembled more than 100 of the world's most influential klezmer musicians for "A Great Day On Eldridge Street,...
Posted by BRIAN BENDER on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:14:00 PST

INTERVIEW ON ISRAEL NATIONAL RADIO 12-16-07

"The Beat" - hosted by Benyamin BreskyIsrael National Radio 12-16-07Brian Bender discusses the recent CD release "Eyn Velt" from his band LITTLE SHOP OF HORAS, which blends original and traditional Je...
Posted by BRIAN BENDER on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:00:00 PST

BOTH CDS ARE RECEIVING A LOT OF INTERNATIONAL RADIO PLAY!

To see a list of radio stations around the world that are playing both CDs, please visit: www.brianbender.com/ontheradio.htm...
Posted by BRIAN BENDER on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 09:24:00 PST

TO LISTEN TO INDIVIDUAL SONGS, PLEASE VISIT OUR CD/MP3 STORE

If you would like to listen to songs individually, please visit:www.brianbender.com/musicstore.htmThanks!
Posted by BRIAN BENDER on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:19:00 PST