Bay Area jazz pianist Ben Stolorow (born Benjamin Alexander Stolorow, 1976) came to live in Berkeley, CA by way of New York, NY. As a young four year old he began his formal training at the Yamaha Music Program, and years later graduated from UC Berkeley. He also studied both classical and jazz piano in New York with several teachers and at the Manhattan School of Music. He is an active and highly sought after member of a thriving jazz scene in the Bay Area.
Ben is also a teacher and composer and has just released his first album as a leader, I'll Be Over Here which features seven original compositions and a fresh arrangement of the jazz standard, “Stella by Starlight."
Ben was awarded “Best Pianist" by the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival and received the Hertz Traveling Fellowship from UC Berkeley.
Ben leads his own project, the Ben Stolorow Trio, and plays in the popular Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and Phil Thompson's, The Rio Thing. His playing is featured on two of guitarist Terrence Brewer's albums, The Calling, Volume 1 and Quintessential.
Although most known for playing jazz and Brazilian jazz on the piano, Ben also plays the melodica and at one point in his life played the harpsichord and the violin.
Ben's mother was born in Kobe, Japan, although of Chinese ancestry. Her mother played piano and encouraged Ben as a young child to take up the instrument. His father was born in Michigan and is of Russian-Jewish ancestry.
Ben's sister Stephanie is a vocalist and songwriter in the Bay Area as well, performing Neo-soul / Rock / Trip Hop music in popular rock clubs.
Ben's first significant musical influences were baroque music composer/pianist Bach and jazz pianist Bill Evans.
“I've been drawn to music that seems to have a balance between the intellectual and emotional aspects of the craft. More recently I've been influenced by music that has strong rhythmic and groove elements, such as Brazilian jazz, and funkier jazz cats like Herbie Hancock."
When asked about his current musical endeavors, he says, “At the present, I am trying to develop more freedom in my playing and am attracted to music that has a feeling of rhythmic looseness, and also collective rhythmic spontaneity, such as Keith Jarrett's Trio."
Ben describes a good portion of his life as a “silent struggle." As with most people, there have been several events in his life that could be described as tragedies, including a traumatic divorce and the death of my stepmother.
Ben reflects, “Whatever the particular rough spot that I've found myself in, music has always provided me with the opportunity to change my state of mind by giving me a chance to transform unpleasant feelings and emotions into something beautiful. And that is actually a struggle in itself! But it is a struggle that I am grateful for, and one that gives direction and meaning to my life."
Ben is also a teacher and composer and has just released his first album as a leader, I'll Be Over Here which features seven original compositions and a fresh arrangement of the jazz standard, “Stella by Starlight."
Ben was awarded “Best Pianist" by the Pacific Coast Collegiate Jazz Festival and received the Hertz Traveling Fellowship from UC Berkeley.
Ben leads his own project, the Ben Stolorow Trio, and plays in the popular Contemporary Jazz Orchestra and Phil Thompson's, The Rio Thing. His playing is featured on two of guitarist Terrence Brewer's albums, The Calling, Volume 1 and Quintessential.
Although most known for playing jazz and Brazilian jazz on the piano, Ben also plays the melodica and at one point in his life played the harpsichord and the violin.
“Ben has created a beautiful, introspective body of work reminiscent of some of the greatest jazz piano trios. His many contributions to the Bay Area jazz scene are what make the west coast such a rich and exciting destination for jazz lovers". --Susan Muscarella, Founder/Director, the Jazzschool (Berkeley, CA)
Ben's mother was born in Kobe, Japan, although of Chinese ancestry. Her mother played piano and encouraged Ben as a young child to take up the instrument. His father was born in Michigan and is of Russian-Jewish ancestry.
Ben's sister Stephanie is a vocalist and songwriter in the Bay Area as well, performing Neo-soul / Rock / Trip Hop music in popular rock clubs.
Ben's first significant musical influences were baroque music composer/pianist Bach and jazz pianist Bill Evans.
“I've been drawn to music that seems to have a balance between the intellectual and emotional aspects of the craft. More recently I've been influenced by music that has strong rhythmic and groove elements, such as Brazilian jazz, and funkier jazz cats like Herbie Hancock."
When asked about his current musical endeavors, he says, “At the present, I am trying to develop more freedom in my playing and am attracted to music that has a feeling of rhythmic looseness, and also collective rhythmic spontaneity, such as Keith Jarrett's Trio."
Ben describes a good portion of his life as a “silent struggle." As with most people, there have been several events in his life that could be described as tragedies, including a traumatic divorce and the death of my stepmother.
Ben reflects, “Whatever the particular rough spot that I've found myself in, music has always provided me with the opportunity to change my state of mind by giving me a chance to transform unpleasant feelings and emotions into something beautiful. And that is actually a struggle in itself! But it is a struggle that I am grateful for, and one that gives direction and meaning to my life."
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