Biography Brian Bender (trombone, tuba, trumpet, melodica, keyboards, percussion, composer) has performed in the Cape Verde Islands (West Africa), Egypt, Israel, Alaska, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Spain, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Ireland, the United Kingdom and throughout the United States. He has performed at Carnegie Hall as well as the Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton. He performs each summer with various Klezmer, Reggae and Latin Jazz Bands based throughout Europe. Brian is based in the Northeatern USA. Brian Bender (trombone, trumpet, melodica, keyboards, percussion, composer) has formerly performed with O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian All-Stars, Kotoja (African World-Beat), Ibrahima Camera, Black Rebels (African Reggae), La Perfecta (Salsa/Merengue), Lucky 7 (Caribbean Ska), Big Bandemonium (Contradance) and the Berkshire Bateria Escola de Samba (Brazilian). He currently performs with the The Pangeans (World Beat), the World Beatniks (World Beat), the Butterfly Swing Band (Swing Jazz), the Gumbo Jumbo Dixieland Band (Traditional Jazz), Black Tie Affair (Cover/Variety), Brian Bender & The Riddim Makers (Jazz/Reggae), New Groove (Cover/Variety), the Yiddishkeit Klezmer Ensemble (Klezmer), Wholesale Klezmer Band (Klezmer), Little Shop of Horas (Klezmer/African/Latin/Caribbean/Middle Eastern), Elixir (Contradance), Fiddle Hill (Celtic) and Rebels of the Sacred Heart (Irish). Brian has also performed in numerous tribute concerts for the legendary jazz bandleader Sun Ra at venues such as the Knitting Factory (NYC) and the Southern University of New Orleans. In 1989 Brian was asked by Art Blakey to “sit in” with the Jazz Messengers at the Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA). In 1995 and 2010, Brian recorded as a trombonist with legendary Jazz saxophinist Archie Shepp. An interview with Brian in 1997 on the subject of Klezmer music was aired on National Public Radio and he has been interviewed on Israel National Radio. Brian performs frequently at festivals, concerts, clubs, parties, schools and cafes with various Jazz, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Calypso, Samba, Klezmer, Celtic and other groups. He also teaches lessons and workshops on trombone, piano and trumpet focusing on improvisation and playing music "by ear." He also teaches Jazz, Klezmer and original music ensembles to children and adults. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, USA). Brian also owns and operates Face the Music Recording Studio located in Shutesbury, MA. The studio is a 32-track digital facility that handles a wide range of recording projects. Folk, Jazz, Rock, Blues, World, Celtic, Klezmer, Classical, Narration, Poetry and other projects have all recorded at Face the Music since its inception in 2001. He also works as a freelance live sound engineer and as a mobile DJ/Jazz pianist.