Studio B Music Yarmouth

11/25/2022

In thanksgiving, I present my new original composition “pages turning” a down tempo, acoustic, lofi song performed by a group of astoundingly accomplished individual musicians who came together at my request to form an incredible trio. This song, featuring Grammy winners Jay Bellerose on drums and Jennifer Condos on bass with me on piano and Duncan Birkbeck in the production studio, is dedicated to those fighting cancer, to those that care for and love them and for every day we have to gather together - to give thanks - while “turning pages”
Often, when words are difficult for me to express, I turn to music to let it tell my story. I hope through this song, wherever you are and with whatever situation you face, that you as you listen, you will pause in quiet reflection and in that pause that you will find the story of your life filled with pages and pages of hope, love and Thanksgiving.
Today, as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I dedicate this song to the brave, fearless, courageous, defiant fighters of cancer everywhere—-those still on the battlefield, those whose journey is complete and those who stand or fight valiantly at their side....I hope this song is a gentle reminder to keep fighting, keep believing...and when you are able, that you can take a moment to find peace in the “pages turning”......

10/18/2022

https://open.spotify.com/album/2qcMPV1Igk60BwaZ2u5MY6

In gratitude, I present my new original song “and then, rest” a 5/4 Bossa Nova performed by a group of astoundingly accomplished individual musicians who came together at my request to form an incredible quartet. This song, featuring saxophonist extraordinaire Levon Henry and Grammy winners Jay Bellerose on drums and Jennifer Condos on bass is dedicated to those fighting cancer and to those that care for and love them.

So often the cancer journey is described as a battlefield or a journey - requiring action or a meaningful destination.
Very little is said of the seemingly endless, oft times lonely moments of solitude and quiet when all the noise is settled and all the “doing” is done, when the battlefield is empty, and the journey is complete - it is in these moments that the hardest work begins - we fight, we labor; and then, rest…

This song, a 5/4 Bossa Nova was written at home on our antique upright piano. I recorded it with felt cloth placed in between the hammers and the strings to dampen the timbre of the piano while my beautiful Rhonnie “rested.” While she battled the effects of cancer, this song journeyed to Los Angeles where Jay Bellerose and Jen Condos matched this song’s quiet sound with soft brushes and melodic bass lines then it traveled to Turkey where Levon carried the melody in solo on Alto Saxophone and finally to Brown University where our son Duncan Birkbeck mixed and mastered it - honoring the “endeavor” by exalting the “rest.”

If you listen carefully to the piano chords, you will hear a signature rhythm of the Bossa Nova…triplet chords over 1, 2, 3, 4 … and then, a rest.

I am dedicating this song to the brave, fearless, courageous, defiant fighters of breast cancer everywhere—-those still on the battlefield, those whose journey is complete and those who stand or fight valiantly at their side….this song is dedicated to you. I hope this song is gentle reminder to keep fighting, keep believing…and then, rest.

Benjamin Birkbeck · Single · 2022 · 1 songs.

10/14/2022

Last Friday, I presented my new original song "Swingback" a jazz/swing era genre song performed by a group of astoundingly accomplished individual musicians who came together at my request to form an incredible quintet. Featuring world renowned trumpet player Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist extraordinaire Levon Henry and Grammy winners Jay Bellerose on drums and Jennifer Condos on bass, this song was written in Maine as my wife began a battle with breast cancer. During her courageous fight, I sent a sketch of this song to LA to the recording studio of my dear friends Jay and Jennifer where they spiritedly and joyfully recorded drums and bass over my solo piano track just days before Jay’s tour with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. While Rhonnie faced 5 long weeks of radiation, the song traveled to Turkey where Levon soulfully recorded the saxophone parts. And then, as Rhonnie began the most challenging of her treatments, the song made its way back stateside to New York where Ingrid laid down her dynamic trumpet parts. This song’s journey was completed at Brown University where my son Duncan produced/mixed and mastered the track - expressing a unique, fearless, fearsome defiance that he chose specifically to honor his mom and her fighting spirit. I am grateful to note that as this song made its way around the world, medical professionals, cancer survivors and the love and prayers of loved ones had also made a way - carrying my wife, Rhonnie through to a victory over the cancer that had threatened her life.
And so, on October 7- this Friday - at 5pm in boundless gratitude, I am dedicating this this song to the brave, fearless, courageous, defiant fighters of breast cancer everywhere—-for those that were lost in the midst of battle, those still on the battlefield and those who stand or fight valiantly at their side....this song is dedicated to you, your fight and the defiant spirit within you.

06/23/2020

Hey everybody! Parker Goessling is now giving private online guitar lessons while his band is off the road due to COVID19. He is an incredible teacher/player/performer as well as a great all around human being. Give him a call at (218)-310-2270 if you are interested in taking advantage of this limited time opportunity.

06/23/2020

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04/30/2020

https://youtu.be/7w63ytGARac

Students, instructors, alumni and friends of Studio B share a positive message through their version of the Motown classic “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough” by...

01/03/2020

Studio B Impromptu "on the road" on 1/17 at Frontier Cafe in Brunswick! (see below) Make sure to book dinner reservations at Frontier and get your tickets before they are sold out!
Here is a direct link for tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4473870

07/19/2019

Time correction: Impromptu will be 10am-12pm this Saturday in the Serendipity Tent at the Yarmouth Clam Festival! Thank you and hope to see you there!

11/13/2018

See you this Friday at Frontier! Bring a song or an instrument!!

05/16/2018

You DO NOT want to miss this one...

03/23/2018

Impromptu tomorrow!! Hope to see you there!

02/15/2018

Next Impromptu is booked...Hope to see you at the Amvets on 3/23/18!!!