Ben Bananas

I've been playing music all my life thanks in large part to my supportive family. I picked up guitar at age 12 after years of piano and trumpet lessons (thanks Mom). Basically, I heard Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock and never looked back. I graduated with honors from The University of the Arts in 2004 after having studied with Pat Martino, Jimmy Bruno, Tom Giacabetti, Craig Ebner and others. During college I toured and recorded with Grammy nominated, Stellar award winning, gospel artist TYE TRIBBET AND GA where I earned the name "Bananas." Immediatly following graduation through the summer of '08 I toured and recorded with platinum selling R&B artist MUSIQ SOULCHILD. In '05 I toured and recorded with R&B singer VIVIAN GREEN. In '06 I performed with DJ AKTIVE AND THE GENTLEMEN on a 30 city US tour with THE ROOTS. In the spring of '07 I performed with CHRISTINA AGUILERA. In the fall of '07 I performed with ERYKAH BADU. I've recently recorded and performed for Avant R&B singer BILAL. As for my own projects, I released the debut album from The Mini Q's at the top of '08. THE MINI Q's were a hard hitting funk/jazz instrumental organ-trio that gained a loyal following during a 3.5 year weekly tenure at a club in Olde City. What began as just another gig evolved into an event that played host to an amazingly diverse cross section of professional musicians, students and music lovers. We are very happy to have fostered an environment in which some of the industry's top guns played and socialized students and music enthusiasts. I am now turning my attention to the debut album of my rock and roll project, THE MLM's and working at Faith City, a church that features some areas finest gospel musicians. I am very grateful for the wonderful, loving people in my life and am always looking forward to the next professional opportunity!*** *** "