Having traversed a musical path that led him from Iowa to Chicago, Austin, New York and now to Oakland, CA, Ben Bernstein has established himself as a sought-after bassist and music producer. As a multi-instrumentalist well versed in a wide spectrum of musical genres including Rock, Jazz, Americana, Latin, Funk, and Bluegrass, Ben is a favorite resource for local and touring artists wishing to complete live and studio projects. Ben freelances at Pyramind Sound in San Francisco as an Audio Engineer for Music and Voice Over Sessions, and works out of his own Petting Zoo Studio. Please contact Ben Bernstein for more information.
Ben Bernstein
Ben Bernstein's passion for music began early as a drummer growing up in Sioux City, Iowa. Upon the suggestion of his high school band director and musical mentor Larry Kisor, Ben switched from drums to the bass, learning both electric and upright. He became a member of the award-winning North High School Jazz ensemble performing at concerts, contests, and clinics around the Midwest, as well as the Montreux Jazz Festival. While with North High School Jazz ensemble Ben was recognized as an outstanding soloist at the State Championships, as well as being selected for the Iowa All State Jazz Ensemble. He professional career started at the same time, when the Eddie Skeets Orchestra asked him to join the group. With Skeets' band, Ben performed around Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas in Old Time Dance Halls and playing Big Band, Western Swing, and the occasional Polka.
Wishing to further his music career, Ben moved to Austin, Texas to attend University of Texas at Austin Music Department where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications in 1996. Having focused on music and audio post-production at UT, Ben's continued his education in Austin's fabled clubs, playing bass for Melodious Thunk Jazz Quartet and Karrison Afro-Cuban ensemble. He also started another band with Pat Ford, called Shah-Boogie. After several years on the Austin scene, Ben packed his bags for New York City in 1999, attending the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and studying at The Bass Collective. There, he became a founding member of the city's premier bluegrass band, Citigrass, and formed The Smoggy Borough Boyz with Citigrass band mates Jordan Shapiro and James Kerr. Ben was also a touring member of Soul Farm, a Jam Band with Jewish Roots led by another Citigrass band mate, Noah Chase.
Seeking more challenges, Ben headed West for the San Francisco Bay in 2002 where he quickly became an in demand bassist, playing blues and funk gigs at the Blue Lamp in San Francisco with Edna Love and the Lovetoys and the Smokedaddies. In the summer of 2002 Ben co-founded the Ho' Down Quartet and to further expand his bluegrass explorations. The band became a local favorite, performing weekly at the Blackthorn Tavern, and at the 2003 San Francisco Old Time and Bluegrass Festival. The group also toured Colorado with a stop at the 30th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival where they competed for a chance to play on the main stage. While in the Quartet, Ben also became a performing member of Tony Mattioli's Stolen Bibles, performing a blend of "Americana Soul" around the San Francisco Bay Area, and gigging with Samantha Stollenwerk, including a short tour to New York City in December 2003.
In 2004, Ben signed on with New Monsoon, touring extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. As part of New Monsoon, Bernstein played for large crowds at major U.S. venues and festivals including the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco, CA, Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and Bonnaroo in Tennessee. While with New Monsoon, he had the opportunity to participate in the 2005 Big Summer Classic Tour performing alongside and jamming with bands such as the String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Keller Williams, and Umphrey's McGee.
Ben left the band in late 2006 to focus on solo work, music production, and freelance performance and session work.