Ben Flocks

Jazz Camp alumnus and mentor, saxophonist Ben Flocks returns to teach at SJW for the fifth time.

Currently residing in Brooklyn, Ben Flocks is a saxophonist, composer, and educator from Santa Cruz, California. Growing up, Ben took advantage of a multitude of musical opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area, attending shows at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center and camp at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, performing with both the SFJAZZ All-Star High School Ensembles and the Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Band, and studying with composer/arranger/trumpeter Ray Brown. Ben was selected by Dave Brubeck as a Brubeck Institute Fellow in 2007 where he had the opportunity to study with Joe Gilman and guest artists visiting the Institute such as Jeff Ballard, Christian McBride, Eric Harland, and Taylor Eigsti. He also traveled with the Fellows, performing at the Detroit Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, The Russian Embassy, and the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. with Dave Brubeck. Ben has performed with Joshua Redman and Yosvany Terry, and kicked off the 2010 Monterey Jazz Festival with his own group.

In Spring 2011, the Ben Flocks Quintet performed to rave reviews opening for Ahmad Jamal at the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Ben was invited back to Bern for a weeklong stint at the famed Marian’s Jazzroom in the Fall. Ben has also performed at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival in Croatia, and the San Francisco and San Jose Jazz Festivals. In May 2011 Ben graduated from the New School in New York City, earning a B.F.A in Jazz Performance. During that summer he completed a two year mentorship program at the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Ben teaches alongside fellow SJW faculty member Victor Lin at the Calhoun School in New York City and recently released his debut album Battle Mountain to rave reviews.

www.benflocks.com