Ben Rodenburg

My name is Ben Rodenburg and I play the EWI, alto and tenor sax and Im 19 years old. I’m making music since I was 8 years old. "Can I play a musical instrument?" Offcourse! : My parents said. They both are pretty musical people. My mother did conservatory at Rotterdam and my dad played since he was 6 years old. Both played classical accorion, alot different what I do: Funk and Fusion saxophone.
I began with taking lessons at the age of 8. I played the alto sax first and after 5 years I got myself a tenorsax. I now play both at a similar level and play all kinds of music on both instruments. from bigband and fusion music till soul and funk.
I performed on several bigband festivals and won (with the band) lots of prices. I performed when i was 12 and 13 years old on the famous Dutch Dunya festival. I’ve done a Musical project, a Showmusic project, a Motown project and a Bigband project. The FIrst 3 were at school. The last one was with the Windmill BBigband. Last year Ive done alot of gigs in and around Holland. Sometimes i also play as a stand-in in several bigbands, as 1st or 2nd alto0 or tenor, so reading sheets isnt a problem also.
My real idol is Michael Brecker. The music he played with his brother was outstanding and is really the music i play often and i want to play the coming years. The music he plays now is also brilliant! I just like all of his work, everything he playes! Every note he chooses is a perfect one and he brings it just like a sort of little child, he takes care off every note and never misses one! Sometimes people tell me that they hear Brecker influences in my play, love that!
I play Selmer Saxophones. on alto I have a Selmer Serie III sax with metal boosters for a more funkier sound with a brancher b24 mouthpiece for an even more funkier sound with rico jazz select unfiled reeds
On tenor i have a Selmer Mark VI sax with a slightly tuned otto link mouthpiece and also rico jazz select unfiled reeds.
I also have an AKAI EWI 4000s. I play it alot with my band (rorymi) and if we play covers of the rippingtons offcourse!