Ben Seawell - FIVE (2019)

Born and raised in North Carolina Ben Seawell is a bassist singer songwriter now living in New York City. As an in demand bassist in North Carolina, Ben played with Philadelphia pianist Elmer Gibson (Norman Conners), guitarist Scott Sawyer and saxophonist Paul Jeffrey (Thelonius Monk) in the 1980’s. During this time Ben was part of a rhythm section that backed solo artist traveling through the area such as, Woody Shaw, George Coleman, Sonny Fortune and Junior Mance as well as being a part of a quartet led by Nnenna Freelon.

Ben also accompanied vibraphonist Jon Metzger on a tour of Central America in 1985. Ben has appeared at various festivals such as Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC- Cape May Jazz Festival, Cape May, NJ- Duke University Jazz Festival, Durham NC and UNC Jazz Festival Chapel Hill, NC.

A hardworking, passionate musician Ben was awarded a Scholarship to William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ in 1991. While there he studied with Todd Coolman, Rufus Reid and Michael Moore.

Coming to New York in 2013 Ben has worked in and around the tri- state area with saxophonist Jerry Vivino, pianist Tomoko Ono, guitarist Bruce Edwards and others.