Ben
Bilello (BM ’99), studied Jazz Studies/African American
Music (percussion) at Hartt from 1995 to 1999. He is currently living in
Durham, Connecticut.
I have been a full time professional
musician, private instructor, jazz and
percussion educator and clinician since I graduated in 1999. I have performed
and/or recorded with Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Henderson, Branford Marsalis, Anthony Braxton, Javon
Jackson, Charles Flores, Curtis Fuller, Larry Willis, George Cables, Steve
Davis and Charmaine Clamor, as well as many others.
I was a faculty member of the Greater
Hartford Academy of the Arts from 2005 to 2013. While there, I taught
percussion, jazz drumming, rudimental drumming and music theory.
I met my wife, Lauren, in 2001. We were
married in 2007. We have a son, Michael, who just turned one year old in
January.
I have a small side business in the fly
fishing industry. I stopped fishing after leaving for college, but got back
into it in my late twenties. My favorite quarry is the Atlantic salmon. I
traveled to Russia’s Kola Peninsula, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in
June 2012. I fished the Kola and Kitza Rivers, renowned for having some of the
world’s largest and toughest Atlantic salmon.
At the moment, my most important job is
raising my son. I had to cut back on teaching and I can’t take every gig that
is offered, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I perform as much as possible, most
notably in trio collaboration with pianist Laurence Hobgood and bassist Henry
Lugo.
For the past few months, I have been
working with Javon Jackson, the new chair of the Hartt’s Jackie McLean Jazz
Institute. Under Professor Jackson’s leadership, and along with fellow Hartt
alumni Stephen Porter and Andrew Renfroe, we have given clinics at local
schools and lecture/performances as part of the University of Harford’s
President’s College.
I will be appearing on two albums to be
released in the very near future. One is with vocalist Atla DeChamplain and
pianist Matt DeChamplain, both Hartt alumni. The other, with vocalist June
Bisantz, is a tribute to trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker.
I teach one day a week at UConn’s
Community School of the Arts. Within the past year, I have built a home
teaching and rehearsal studio. I offer lessons throughout the week as my
schedule allows.
Having the opportunity to study with
Professor Jackie McLean was a terrific experience. He was truly a pioneer in
the field of jazz education. Studying (and frequently playing) with a musician
of Professor McLean’s pedigree and magnitude is not something most college jazz
students have the chance to do. I feel extremely fortunate to have been at
Hartt while Professor McLean was teaching there.
When I look back, I am amazed at how
much free time I had compared to now. It certainly didn’t feel that way when I
was a student. I practiced a fair amount while I was at Hartt, usually around
four to six hours a day. Despite being fairly diligent, I could have made
better use of the free time I had
(instead of hanging around the Hartt hallways or shooting pool at Gengras or
the Hawk’s Nest).
Having a place to practice regularly
was a luxury I took for granted. Until I became a homeowner, finding a place to
practice was tricky at times. Now that I have a dedicated practice space (and a
family), finding the time is the main issue.
In terms of professional endeavors, I
have no idea. I have always taken opportunities as they arise. Often times they
are unexpected. I have made my living as an accompanist, which I love, but I’d
like to start to devote more time to projects under my own leadership.
