EPISODE 5 - Ben Rubens

Located in NJ/NYC, Bassist Ben Rubens has rapidly developed a reputation for being a supportive and well-rounded rhythm section musician. Performances include: The Kennedy Center, The Apollo Theater, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Blue Note Milano, Blue Note Beijing, Brussels Jazz Festival, Gaume Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, The Nice Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival and the Red Sea Jazz Festival. He is a featured performer on a number of CDs, including the Smoke Sessions Recording “In The Moment,” by the Johnny O’Neal Trio Ft. late trumpet master Roy Hargrove and “Songs in the Key of Wonder” by James Austin Jr. He also recorded original composition with late great jazz master, Jerry Dodgion. Rubens has performed three years in a row with the trio supporting NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan at Roni Ben-Hur’s RBH Jazz Camp in Burlington, VT. Mr. Rubens is also experienced in musical theater, performing in numerous regional productions as well as the June 6th, 2022 performance of “Plays For The Plague Year” by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks with musical direction by Ric Molina (“Wicked”). He has performed in Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, China, Russia, Israel, and Mexico. Ben has been so lucky to have been studying the bass with legendary jazz master Harvie S since 2009(!) and also to have hung and learned from Bob Cranshaw during 2013-2014