Ben Paterson

Pianist/vocalist Ben Paterson continues the tradition of bouncy, infectious swing established by the drummerless trios of Nat 'King' Cole and Oscar Peterson, drawing upon his musical experiences in both Chicago and New York to deliver a soulful and engaging recording. Joined by longtime Benny Goodman guitarist Chris Flory and powerhouse bassist George Delancey, Ben's trio mixes sophisticated improvisation with heavy doses of the blues, ranging from well known Jazz standards to more recent popular songs.

Following up his very well-received recordings That Old Feeling (Cellar Live Records, 2018) and For Once in My Life (Origin Records, 2015), Ben Paterson enters the sanctum santorium of jazz recording, Rudy Van Gelder's Studio in Hackensack, NJ. Having collided somewhere with saxophonist/entrepreneur Cory Weeds, the two initiate an idea perfect to the pair's hard bop sensibilities and something we can hope Weeds is considering for future recordings, hopefully a Cellar Live series with much more music like this.

For Once in My Life is Ben Paterson's fourth album as a leader but first as an organist. In his native Philadelphia—home to such giants of the Hammond as Jimmy Smith, Shirley Scott, Charles Earland and Joey DeFrancesco—Paterson was known as a pianist. He began doubling on organ while living in Chicago, and by the time he moved to New York City in 2013 was gigging regularly on organ and piano all over Manhattan, from Harlem in the north to Greenwich Village in the south. One of the reasons he made the move to organ, Paterson says, is "I get to be the bassist."

"Essential Elements" is the debut release for the highly-talented pianist Ben Paterson. Originally from Philadelphia, Ben spent his younger years studying both jazz and classical before moving to Chicago where he refined his approach as the pianist for the late, legendary Von Freeman. On "Essential Elements," Paterson presents a fresh take on a number of standards as well as some compelling original compositions in a standard trio format. The overlay of different musical styles combined with the jazz-influenced arrangements make for a great blend.

Live at Van Gelder’s was recorded not in a club but in the New Jersey studio of the late engineer Rudy Van Gelder, with a small invited audience. It’s not a common occurrence, but New Yorker Ben Paterson seized the opportunity to make swinging, bluesy organ-trio jazz in that hallowed space, where organ-trio history was made many times from the ’50s onward. Buoyed by the warm phrasing of guitarist Ed Cherry and the laidback groove of drummer Jason Tiemann, Paterson brings a commanding touch to canonical material including Ray Brown’s “F.S.R. (For Sonny Rollins),” the gorgeous Wayne Shorter waltz “Edda,” and the midtempo Grant Green cooker “Green Jeans,” among other treasures by Horace Silver, Slide Hampton, and the giants of the idiom.

Pianist/vocalist Ben Paterson continues the tradition of bouncy, infectious swing established by the drummerless trios of Nat 'King' Cole and Oscar Peterson, drawing upon his musical experiences in both Chicago and New York to deliver a soulful and engaging recording. Joined by longtime Benny Goodman guitarist Chris Flory and powerhouse bassist George Delancey, Ben's trio mixes sophisticated improvisation with heavy doses of the blues, ranging from well known Jazz standards to more recent popular songs.

On March 19, "Only For The Moment" is released, the new record production of the Roman label Tosky Records. An album that sees the presence of two excellences of Italian jazz such as guitarist Daniele Cordisco and drummer Elio Coppola and one of the best known American organists and pianists, Ben Paterson.

Wes Montgomery's long-lasting and tremendous influence on jazz musicians includes the seasoned Scottish guitarist, Jim Mullen. Like Montgomery, Mullen is self-taught, plays with his thumb, and is also an excellent improviser.

Wes Montgomery's long-lasting and tremendous influence on jazz musicians includes the seasoned Scottish guitarist, Jim Mullen. Like Montgomery, Mullen is self-taught, plays with his thumb, and is also an excellent improviser.