Elmer Junior

Born and raised in North Carolina Ben Seawell is a bassist singer songwriter now living in New York City. As an in demand bassist in North Carolina, Ben played with Philadelphia pianist Elmer Gibson (Norman Conners), guitarist Scott Sawyer and saxophonist Paul Jeffrey (Thelonius Monk) in the 1980’s. During this time Ben was part of a rhythm section that backed solo artist traveling through the area such as, Woody Shaw, George Coleman, Sonny Fortune and Junior Mance as well as being a part of a quartet led by Nnenna Freelon.

James Newton Howard was well-established as a keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and arranger in the realm of soft rock before he cemented his legacy as an A-list film and television composer during the '90s. Highlights of his rock resumé in the '70s and '80s had included touring and recording with Elton John and working on albums with the likes of Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, and Toto. After earning his first composing credit on the 1985 comedy Head Office, his first Academy Award nomination came with the 1991 drama The Prince of Tides. Known for delivering wistful chamber music, playful comedic fare, or alternatively ominous or high-octane orchestral music as called for, Howard became more and more in demand for the latter during the 2000s, due in part to his frequent collaborations with director M. Night Shyamalan.

Starting out briefly as The Electric Garden, Middle Earth opened its doors in 1967 and immediately became the most happening club in London. More than just a home for UK bands that were pushing the boundaries of rock music, Middle Earth also attracted some of America's finest exponents of psychedelic rock such as Captain Beefheart, The Byrds, The Fugs, Jefferson Airplane, and many more.