2021
My friend Raul aka Su Comandante remixed a beat I played on a musical bench in Vancouver. Check out Raul’s new series SAMPLELICIOUS ! The bench was designed by some friends at Carscadden Stokes McDonald Architects. For more on the bench ..https://www.carscadden.ca/viva-refresh
I made a project. It’s called Sound Sculptures. It’s a project where I play on public art. I have teamed up with @vanparkboard @universityofbc @oliverdavidkrieg and @vannewmusic to play 4 public art pieces. I have invited dancers from @allbodiesdance and @foolishoperations to join my exploration. I will be working with these pieces regularly and invite you stop by and hear these curious instruments for yourself. I returned from Europe one year ago this month. I spent my summer biking around the city searching for sounds. I found sculptures that could be played like pitched percussion. @giominz suggested I seek permission to play some of the promising pieces I found. I am very grateful for his encouragement, it helped me to legitimize this practice. I can now focus more on composing and less on getting caught.
For more info please visit ..
https://newmusic.org/soundsculptures
https://benbrownsounds.com/soundsculptures/
Singer Songwriter Lydia Hol takes us to a jungle like world with this dreamy music video ..
Here is an improvised piece I made in collaboration with instrument maker Roxanne Nesbitt and film/dance artist Tamar Tabori. I am very excited to share this music and dance video ft. the movement and filming of Tamar and the floating ceramic percussion instruments made by Roxanne Nesbitt and the beautiful space of Knox Church.
KNOX CHURCH PERFORMANCE
2020
Here is an improvised piece I made in collaboration with instrument maker Roxanne Nesbitt and film/dance artist Tamar Tabori. I am very excited to share this music and dance video ft. the movement and filming of Tamar and the floating ceramic percussion instruments made by Roxanne Nesbitt and the beautiful space of Knox Church.
KNOX CHURCH PERFORMANCE
2020
Here is the last performance I did before going into isolation during March. I was in Cape Town working with a team of incredibly inspiring dancers and musicians, visual artists.
MusicDance Opening Performance 2020 – 11th March from Manuela Lucia Tessi on Vimeo.
Here is the promo for my upcoming project, SOUND SCULPTURES.
I composed and recorded some music for Amsterdam based Dancer Manuela Tessi for her first solo piece SHELL.
'The Shell' a solo by Manuela Lucia Tessi from manuela tessi on Vimeo.
I am playing in an exciting new trio with Roxanne Nesbitt and Anju Singh using the instruments designed by Roxanne.
Pugs & Crows made a video for WIND UP, a track off our latest album Uncle !
Malleus Trio teamed up with some of our favourite dance artists to film a music video for RITUALS off our last album PLAY NICE.
Zen Dogs is a duo with my Dad, Ian Brown. Here we are in 2017 and 2020.
Since 2016 I have been documenting my drum journey, exploring the limits of physical and timbral possibilities on and mostly off the kit. The little drum video series is an Aa-Zz, currently at Dd, snapshot of my progression and/or regression as a drummer or as Dame Evelyn Glennie would say – sound creator. Here I am playing the percussion ceramic instruments of Roxanne Nesbitt at Sundaymorning at EKWC / European Ceramic Workcentre in Holland. I can’t say enough about these instruments , how they’ve opened up my ears and body and the deep gratitude I feel for Roxanne’s work.
I’m a big fan of Lydia Hol’s music and the process of working with her and the team has been an absolute pleasure over these past few years. Here is her latest single, Let the light in.
Malleus Trio teamed up with some of our favourite dance artists to film a music video for RITUALS off our last album PLAY NICE.
Zen Dogs is a duo with my Dad, Ian Brown. Here we are in 2017 and 2020.
Since 2016 I have been documenting my drum journey, exploring the limits of physical and timbral possibilities on and mostly off the kit. The little drum video series is an Aa-Zz, currently at Dd, snapshot of my progression and/or regression as a drummer or as Dame Evelyn Glennie would say – sound creator. Here I am playing the percussion ceramic instruments of Roxanne Nesbitt at Sundaymorning at EKWC / European Ceramic Workcentre in Holland. I can’t say enough about these instruments , how they’ve opened up my ears and body and the deep gratitude I feel for Roxanne’s work.
I’m a big fan of Lydia Hol’s music and the process of working with her and the team has been an absolute pleasure over these past few years. Here is her latest single, Let the light in.
Since 2016 I have been documenting my drum journey, exploring the limits of physical and timbral possibilities on and mostly off the kit. The little drum video series is an Aa-Zz, currently at Dd, snapshot of my progression and/or regression as a drummer or as Dame Evelyn Glennie would say – sound creator. Here I am playing the percussion ceramic instruments of Roxanne Nesbitt at Sundaymorning at EKWC / European Ceramic Workcentre in Holland. I can’t say enough about these instruments , how they’ve opened up my ears and body and the deep gratitude I feel for Roxanne’s work.
I’m a big fan of Lydia Hol’s music and the process of working with her and the team has been an absolute pleasure over these past few years. Here is her latest single, Let the light in.
I am very fortunate to be a part of this project, staggered composing with Two fabulous musicians : Amsterdam’s Marta Warelis (piano) and guitarist Ron Samworth. Thanks to Lisa Miller and NOW for this effort .
I spent my last few days in Holland learning how to play these new ceramic instruments crafted by Roxanne Nesbitt. To my delight, the more i investigated these shapes the more music I found embedded within their design. Music ready to be released by a simple scrape, tap, slide. With no road map, no predetermined pedagogy of how they should be played, sound or what they should “say” I listened to the instruments, ready and receptive as to where they directed me next. They want to compose, they want to sound, they want to MOVE with you. They want to play. These generous instruments are truly a gift and i cant wait to hear what they’ll tell me next.
In Cape Town I had the pleasure of working with Dance Artist Lorin Sooks Sookool. We met in the morning of my last day and did two takes of improv. This is the second. Cydney Eva Pattern worked the camera and let us try on her beautiful threads, props ! Huge Thanks to Thalia Laric and Manuela Lucia Tessi for including me in their inspiring work.
I had the honour of teaching with this amazing team in Cape Town, South Africa in March 2020. Here we are in preparation for the MusicDance Performance Residency at Theatre Arts. 
5 years ago this month I arrived in Berlin. I was 4 months into my first solo tour performing improvised concerts across Europe playing on a suitcase drum kit. I started gigging regularly with Italian singer Marialuisa Capurso and sewing machine musician Lisa Simpson. We played anywhere/everywhere : a cinema, a church sermon, a derelict basement bowling alley turned venue etc. We called the trio Brush Skin Soft after a haiku penned by a friend Ali Jayne. The music and relationships began to grow deep roots taking on a life of it’s own. It remained wild. The group will be reuniting to play some music in an intimate and informal setting this Valentines day. This will be the first time the group has made music together in 5 years. come play , come listen Brush Skin Soft reunion in Berlin. These are two of my most precious collaborators.
Berlin ! This trio of musicians will play handmade CERAMIC instruments by Roxanne Nesbitt TOMORROW night at Bauchhund Salonlabor in Berlin. Visiting from Amsterdam pianist Marielle Groven brings her immense musicality to these clay piano preparations. It’s really a thrill for me to play with these two imaginative minds and 4 supple ears in this intimate space a hidden gem to some. Photo credit Aaron Lumley
In Cape Town I had the pleasure of working with Dance Artist Lorin Sooks Sookool. We met in the morning of my last day and did two takes of improv. This is the second. Cydney Eva Pattern worked the camera and let us try on her beautiful threads, props ! Huge Thanks to Thalia Laric and Manuela Lucia Tessi for including me in their inspiring work.
I had the honour of teaching with this amazing team in Cape Town, South Africa in March 2020. Here we are in preparation for the MusicDance Performance Residency at Theatre Arts.
5 years ago this month I arrived in Berlin. I was 4 months into my first solo tour performing improvised concerts across Europe playing on a suitcase drum kit. I started gigging regularly with Italian singer Marialuisa Capurso and sewing machine musician Lisa Simpson. We played anywhere/everywhere : a cinema, a church sermon, a derelict basement bowling alley turned venue etc. We called the trio Brush Skin Soft after a haiku penned by a friend Ali Jayne. The music and relationships began to grow deep roots taking on a life of it’s own. It remained wild. The group will be reuniting to play some music in an intimate and informal setting this Valentines day. This will be the first time the group has made music together in 5 years. come play , come listen Brush Skin Soft reunion in Berlin. These are two of my most precious collaborators.
Berlin ! This trio of musicians will play handmade CERAMIC instruments by Roxanne Nesbitt TOMORROW night at Bauchhund Salonlabor in Berlin. Visiting from Amsterdam pianist Marielle Groven brings her immense musicality to these clay piano preparations. It’s really a thrill for me to play with these two imaginative minds and 4 supple ears in this intimate space a hidden gem to some. Photo credit Aaron Lumley
5 years ago this month I arrived in Berlin. I was 4 months into my first solo tour performing improvised concerts across Europe playing on a suitcase drum kit. I started gigging regularly with Italian singer Marialuisa Capurso and sewing machine musician Lisa Simpson. We played anywhere/everywhere : a cinema, a church sermon, a derelict basement bowling alley turned venue etc. We called the trio Brush Skin Soft after a haiku penned by a friend Ali Jayne. The music and relationships began to grow deep roots taking on a life of it’s own. It remained wild. The group will be reuniting to play some music in an intimate and informal setting this Valentines day. This will be the first time the group has made music together in 5 years. come play , come listen Brush Skin Soft reunion in Berlin. These are two of my most precious collaborators.
Berlin ! This trio of musicians will play handmade CERAMIC instruments by Roxanne Nesbitt TOMORROW night at Bauchhund Salonlabor in Berlin. Visiting from Amsterdam pianist Marielle Groven brings her immense musicality to these clay piano preparations. It’s really a thrill for me to play with these two imaginative minds and 4 supple ears in this intimate space a hidden gem to some. Photo credit Aaron Lumley
What is it like to invent and build gorgeous looking , receptive sounding instruments the world has never seen or heard ? Ask Roxanne Nesbitt. This is one of the most innovative and exciting projects I’ve ever been a part of. Marielle Groven’s touch and feel for these symbiotic instruments is a rare gem.
About ten years ago I was suffering from anxiety specifically around flying and performing . I was beginning to contemplate whether a career in constant travel and public performance was going to be feasible. At this time I went deeper into yoga in an attempt to reclaim the relationship with my breath that had been hijacked by nerves, my mind. After trying many styles I found Dharma yoga resonated with me. Reno and Sina Shalbaf became my teachers. The techniques not only helped My anxiety but offered me the building blocks to create my own sustainable yoga practice. With this photo of living master Dharma and myself I am Sharing my gratitude for yoga , my teachers , Sri Dharma Mittra and the fear and anxiety as a performing musician that brought about my change. Ultimately these things helped save my career and continue to enrich my life daily. If you are curious about the many techniques that helped me I am happy to share.
My friend and Sewing Machine Musician Lisa Simpson says, “Playing with Ben Brown last saturday felt like bike riding in vancouver: all the way from the mountain top down to the sea side…..”
come ride with us:
Little drum Cc. Excerpts from collaborations and performances 2018-19. For the past year I have been working on a drum solo. This month I visit NYC/Washington DC to study with drummers Jim White & Amy Farina to continue my research. Here are examples of my solo material, work with Roxanne Nesbitt’s symbiotic instruments and some jokes. Enjoy little drum Cc.
2018
I enjoyed working on this article about Katie Duck’s visit to Vancouver written by Dance Artist/writer Danielle Wensley.
come ride with us:
Little drum Cc. Excerpts from collaborations and performances 2018-19. For the past year I have been working on a drum solo. This month I visit NYC/Washington DC to study with drummers Jim White & Amy Farina to continue my research. Here are examples of my solo material, work with Roxanne Nesbitt’s symbiotic instruments and some jokes. Enjoy little drum Cc.
2018
I enjoyed working on this article about Katie Duck’s visit to Vancouver written by Dance Artist/writer Danielle Wensley.
I enjoyed working on this article about Katie Duck’s visit to Vancouver written by Dance Artist/writer Danielle Wensley.
Here’s a review of a fun show between Dance artist Katie Duck (NL), Drummer Kai Basanta, Lisa Cay Miller, Ron Samworth and myself at the Sawdust Collector Series in Vancouver. Thanks Lucas Lund from Discorder for your commitment to thoughtful recapitulations.
One of the most fun gigs i’ve played/watched in a while .. all drummers, all the time. Here’s a clip courtesy of Chacal Del Tamborazo from our show at China Cloud Gallery last week . thanks Daniel Gaucher for hosting such a fantastic series and to all those who came out !
“The song initially sounds like Keith Jarrett (that’s my dad) duetting with a noisy bag of potato chips (that’s me)” Well, the Zen Dogs Discorder Magazine review is in : my dad’s Keith Jarrett and I’m a bag of chips. Thanks for listening and the thoughtful review Tom Barker !
2017
BC Musician Magazine thanks for the review on Malleus Trio’s debut album.
SYMBIOTIC INSTRUMENTS DEBUT
SYMBIOTIC INSTRUMENTS DEBUT
Never have I seen or heard instruments like these. I’m thrilled to announce my 2nd collaboration with Designer/Musician Roxanne Nesbitt. We have spent the past month conducting research and discovering exciting new sound worlds. We will be premiering the Symbiotic Instruments at STRETCH STUDIO this Friday.
PUGS IN EUROPE
JUNO WINNERS/LOSERS, PUGS & CROWS RETURN TO EUROPE NEXT MONTH FOR A TOUR OF AMSTERDAM,STOCKHOLM AND POLAND FOR THE JAZZTOPAD FESTIVAL
SOURCES OF SOUND IN OUR DANCING
I WILL BE CO-TEACHING THIS WORKSHOP WITH JENNIFER MASCALL IN THE NEW YEAR.
PITCHED STICKS
IN A FISHBOWL
HERE IS A PERFORMANCE OF A SCORE I RECENTLY WROTE FOR ROXANNE NESBITT’S PITCHED STICKS FILMED BY MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDJARED LUCOW
DRUM SOLO (BERLIN/MARCH)
HERE IS MY LATEST WORK WITH ROXANNE NESBITT’S MUTUAL INSTRUMENTS
PINKNO HANA ARE A NEW DUO.
MONTREAL/VANCOUVER JUNE 2017 TOUR DETAILS TO COME ..
OUTSIDE A SQUAT.
STREET DUO WITH ANGELA MUNOZ
On April 9th I performed with one of my favourite musician/dancers, Angela Munoz for the XB SUNDAY MATINEE #21. We were to perform inside a cozy squat in Friedrichshain but it was such a sunny day we took it to the streets 🙂
JUNO NOMINATION !
PUGS & CROWS & TONY WILSON
I flew from Berlin to Ottawa to meet the band for a 3 day reunion/party. It was good to be back in Canada. Fresh fish and …. snow in April ?! The band was nominated once again for Best Instrumental of the year. Highlights were Buffy Saint Marie’s speech telling flight companies to lower the crazy costs of transporting instruments and getting introduced to Andy Shauf – check out the album!
EMILY MILLARD GERMAN TOUR / ALBUM RELEASE
Here are a few highlights from spending the month of March with Canadian singer-songwriter Emily Millard and her fantastic Berlin Band. Check out her new album here
CAST NEW ALBUM REVIEW AND A FEW PHOTOS ..
Here are a few photos from Cast’s early morning ‘laugh & shoot’ with the spry eye of Adam Gilmer. Thanks Adam!
“It is unlike anything I have heard before simply because the collection seems to almost be random until you realize the underlying percussion experimentation is just pure genius.”
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE…http://www.nomoredivision.com/indie-music-album-reviews/cast-for-the-bodys-sake
MAMM 2017 SCHEDULE RELEASED!
There will be only two workshops for MAMM’s 2017 season. Jan 14th 2-6pm at STRETCH VANCOUVER and May 13th/14th at GOLD SAUCER 12-4pm.
Click here for details for January’s workshops
MONDAY MATCH AT BIM (2 MINUTE SPOILER)
One of the most beautiful venues ever. Here’s a 2 minute montage of my recent performance with one of my favourite performers, Berlin based Angela Munoz.
CELLO RECITAL…
I love playing with this guy. Arturs Krumins is a Latvian born Cellist based in Amsterdam I started playing with two years ago. He invited me to play his cello recital at the conservatory. This improv piece got full marks from the panel of judges. WATCH HERE
DEN HAAG SHOW AT THE HELICOPTER
Live video of my show with Arvind Ganga and Quebec based Raphael Arsenault last week in the Den Haag HERE
LIVE WITHOUT LOOPS ‘TOUR’ DEC 2016
I’m currently in Amsterdam playing shows. FIND ALL SHOWS HERE