- Ben Davis (cellist)
Ben Davis is a cellist from the
United Kingdom known for his improvisation. His groupBasquiat Strings was nominated for theMercury Prize in 2007. He is a member of theF-IRE Collective .Ben Davis' self-stated aim is to make "alternative string music that people want to listen to". His group,
Basquiat Strings , originated as a standard string quartet (twoviolin s, aviola and a cello). Only later did cellist Davis decide to adddouble bass "to strengthen the rhythmic accompaniment". [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/489x/ BBC - Jazz Review - Ben Davis, Basquiat Strings ] ]Basquiat Strings were nominated for the 2007Mercury Prize .Ben Davis studied at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later at theBanff School of Fine Arts withDave Holland .He has since pursued a varied musical career encompassing classical, world, pop, early music and jazz. He has performed with
Django Bates ,Hassan Erraji ,The Dufay Collective ,Evan Parker ,Christine Tobin ,Steve Buckley ,Huw Warren ,Jason Yarde ,Kylie Minogue ,Julian Joseph , theStavanger Symphony Orchestra and the R. S. C. He has recorded with Claire Martin,Jamiroquai ,Ingrid Laubrock ,Julia Biel ,Patricia Kass ,D-Influence and the Ben Davis Group, which was featured onBBC Radio 3 'sJazz On 3 programme. He recently completed a world tour with the French super-star,Patricia Chass and also formed The Jazz Cello Trio featuringPhil Robson . Ben Davis also teaches jazz cello and has led workshops for kids.Influences
Alongside the jazz and the classical influences, there are also
folk elements including Macedonian tapan rhythms and Hungarian processional marches.Discography
Albums as a leader
* Ben Davis Group (with
Paul Clarvis andChris Biscoe )Albums as a sideman
* "Forensic" -
Ingrid Laubrock
* "Oriole" - Migration
* "Flashes of a Normal World" - Clown RevisitedeReferences
External links
* [http://www.basquiatstrings.co.uk Ben Davis site]
* [http://www.tcm.ac.uk/RVE06af9ec3a9074772b20e4972325c7b6f,,.aspx Ben Davis' bio at Trinity College of Music]
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