[updated January 2008]
In his youth, Ben was exposed to some of the best live concerts to come to Toronto. It wasn’t long before his love for, and obsession with live musical performance was fostered. As Ben emerged as a musician himself, he studied a wide variety of instruments including piano, cello, upright/electric bass, violin, viola, cello, banjo, mandolin, and guitar, demonstrating an incredible aptitude for music, and an innate sense of rhythm & tone.In Spivak’s teens, he performed as part of the popular musical duo Ben & Aubrey, in which he sang and played acoustic guitar. They enjoyed a sizeable and devoted following, and had featured spots on two Canadian network television programs, including the popular Jonovision (CBC).Spivak was soon accepted into one of the most exclusive post-secondary music programs in the country, to study jazz on bass. Shortly after, he joined up with three other students with whom he had developed an amazing chemistry, and they formed the independently successful band, Cavern. Over the next couple of years, the room for inspiration and creative production put Ben into the perfect space for innovative compositions and technical growth. This ultimately pushed his development as a songwriter to new heights.With word of Ben’s reputation spreading rapidly among the music community, he has been asked to perform, tour, & record with a variety of musical acts:
K-Os (EMI) - Bass
Keshia Chante (SonyBMG) - Piano
Johnny Reid (Open Road Recordings) - Bass, Vocals
Tara Slone (Orange Record Label/Joydrop/Rockstar INXS) - Bass (appearance on XM Radio)
Billy Klippert (Orange Record Label/Canadian Idol) - Musical Director, Bass, vocals
Liam Titcomb (SonyBMG Canada) - Bass, Vocals
Cassie Steele (Degrassi:TNG) - Bass
Leh-lo (Joydrop) - Guitar
Matthew Genovese - Musical Director, Bass, Vocals
Dave Thomson/Six Feet Above (Sony/ATV, Wave) - Bass, Vocals
Christine Evans (Universal) - Bass, Vocals
Zoe Bentley (Universal) - Musical Director, Bass, Vocals
...and more.
Early on in 2006, after an exhaustive search for a new bassist by Canadian band The Mudmen (EMI), Ben was recommended to them by producer, musician, and friend Stuart Cameron. Ben soon became a permanent member of the group, joining them for several national tours, and a showcase for a world A&R event in Los Angeles with Kim Bingham on guitar, and Randy Cooke on drums.Ben now plays bass with Canadian double-platinum, multi-award winning Hip-Hop artist, K-Os. In 2007 alone, they completed a North American tour from February to April opening for Gym Class Heroes, a headlining European tour, Warped Tour ’07, and a September cross-Canada tour. They recently appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman on February 20th (see video below), at this year’s Juno Awards, on April 1st.2008 begins with Ben travelling to Australia with K-Os as part of the Good Vibrations Festival. Other acts include Kanye West, Cypress Hill, Theivery Corporation and the Rapture among others.Throughout his various musical commitments, and his own obsession with his art, Ben has built up an authentic maturity for his instrument. Ben’s loyal audience, and thrilled contemporaries will attest to his professionalism, talent, and dedication. Such acclaim proves Ben Spivak is able to meet a need in todays music scene.Ben currently uses Markbass amps, Tobias basses and Dean Markley strings.
