Instruments Played
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone
Music Genres Played
Latin, World Music, Gospel, Dance/Electronic, Samba, Funk, Easy Listening, Smooth Jazz, Rock, Pop, Classical, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Other
Biography
Ben Britton has been described as a "real jazz tenor player and a true improviser" by world-renowned saxophonist Walt Weiskopf, and music critics have also recognized his "inventive abilities" and "predilection for rhythmic adventure". He employs his creative impulses most recently with his project, Unconventional Riot, a Philadelphia based quartet, which expects a 2011 record release. His 2010 debut release, Uncertain Living, was a cooperative effort with his brother John Britton (trumpet) which received critical acclaim from sites like AllAboutJazz.com, and JazzReview.com and many more. They celebrated the release with a packed in crowd and a guest performance by saxophone legend, Chris Potter, who also performed as a special guest on the album. Britton has shared the stage with many other amazing musicians including John Clayton, Dick Oatts, Candido Camero, Bobby Sanabria, Walt Weiskopf, and Nina Beilina and her group Bachanalia. Britton's performance career includes a residency at the Kennedy Center with Billy Taylor, Curtis Fuller, Nathan Davis, Winard Harper, Chip Jackson, and Carmen Lundy in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program, and he has also performed at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Merkin Hall, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Binghamton University, and other various jazz venues.
Currently, he is an adjunct professor at Montgomery County Community College, and has given clinics at both the university and high school level coaching jazz bands and saxophone sections, and teaching and presenting to music classes. An innovate eductor, Britton's 2010 record release included unique online content: play-along tracks of compositions from the record, transcriptions and analyses of Chris Potter's solos from the album, and other instructional material. Britton's academic efforts also extend into the world of blogging. His blog, EverythingSaxophone.blogspot.com,serves as a resource for both students of saxophone and students of jazz and improvisation. Britton also teaches private lessons in the Philadelphia area and resides nearby with his wife and 5 children.
Britton's own academic achievements have included a masters degree from Manhattan School of Music and a bachelors degree from Eastman School of Music. He has studied with some of the best living saxophonists including Chris Potter, George Garzone, Steve Wilson, Rich Perry, and Walt Weiskopf, and he has continued studyi
