Always a pleasure recording with my dear friend Antonio Sanchez 🙏😊 🎷
Books for Ben! Back on the road, here’s what I’m reading… 📚 🙏😊
So excited to be coming to Boston with a great quartet featuring Taylor Eigsti, Harish Raghavan and Obed Calvaire! Friday, March 29th at the one and only Regatta Bar!
Always an honor and profound journey playing at the Village Vanguard. Happy to be doing it with some of my oldest friends and favorite musicians Taylor Eigsti, Harish Raghavan and Nate Wood. Tonight through Sunday!
Village Vanguard starts next week! Quartet featuring the amazing Taylor Eigsti, Harish Raghavan and Nate Wood.
Thank you for everything Jim Beard. You were a musical giant and inspiration to so many. I am incredibly grateful I had a chance to hang with you and get a little insight into your genius. Asking you to explain how you wrote A Gentleman and Hizcaine was one of the highlights of my musical life. Thank you for talking about your art, compositional process, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker, life and so much more. I will remember your stories and wisdom forever.
Another absolute bucket list experience playing with the maestro Terence Blanchard and his E-Collective, Christian McBride, Benny Green, Pedrito Martinez, Tarriona “Tank” Ball and the Turtle Island Quartet at Jazz at the Lincoln Center. I really cherish these moments so much and am continually grateful to live a life in the arts.
Absolutely amazing time in Japan! Sold out shows, ramen, coffee and beautiful audiences. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Huge thanks to Blue Note Tokyo for the wonderful hospitality and my buddies Shai Maestro, Harish Raghavan and Nate Wood for the incredible playing and support. Can’t wait to return!
日本での本当に素晴らしい時間です！完売したショー、ラーメン、コーヒー、そして美しい観客。これ以上の体験は他にありません。素晴らしいおもてなしをしてくれたブルーノート東京、そして素晴らしい演奏とサポートをしてくれた私の仲間のシャイ・マエストロ、ハリッシュ・ラガヴァン、ネイト・ウッドに心から感謝します。戻ってくるのが待ちきれません!
Excited and honored as always to be bringing my quartet back to the one and only Village Vanguard. Featuring the amazing Taylor Eigsti, Harish Raghavan and Nate Wood! Advance reservations recommended!
My first time going to the Grammys! Wonderful to see so many friends from the music world and to have my darling wife Tete with me. 🥰Grateful for the experience and a life in the arts!
Grammy nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel was born in Vancouver, Canada and raised in Los Angeles. Currently living in Brooklyn, NY, he has enjoyed a varied career as a performer, composer and producer. Highlights include tours, performances and/or recordings with artists such as Tigran Hamasyan, Antonio Sanchez, Gerald Clayton, Eric Harland, Taylor Eigsti, Linda May Han Oh, Moonchild, Louis Cole, Daedelus, Snoop Dogg and the artist formerly known as Prince. Ben is a founding member of the Grammy nominated group Kneebody.
- "A composer with a restless sonic ear." LA TIMES
- "He has a keen ability to balance intellectual curiosity with emotional and melodic impact." DOWNBEAT
- "A literate and adaptable multireedist whose original music puts a premium on lyricism." NY TIMES
- "A striking and distinctive player bursting with ideas." OTTOWA CITIZEN
- "Perhaps the best and most well-known saxophonist consistently active on both coasts." LA WEEKLY