User:Ben Herr

Replace this example text with information about you.

Ben Herr

Pianist & arranger born in Reading PA. Started piano lessons at age 7, studied bass in Jr. High School, Picked up guitar at 17. After 2 years of architecture at Penn State spent 4 years in the Navy, then moved to Oakland, Ca and got a degree in piano and composition from Cal State Hayward (now Cal State East Bay). In the 70's wrote over 100 Salsa arrangements, 15 big band charts, and arranged/conducted R&B string and horn parts for producer Harvey Fuqua at Fantasy Records in Berkeley. Played in Latin & Jazz groups with Coke Escovedo, Pablo Tellez(Malo/Santana bassist), Pete Escovedo, Roger Glenn, Karl Perrazzo(Santana timbalero), Jaco Pastorius, Tom Scott, Benny Velarde, Malo, Salsa Caliente, Raul Rekow, Armando Peraza, John Santos, Horace Alexander Young, Azure McCall, and led the group Picante Saturday nights at Yoshi's in Oakland for 2 years. Taught at the Musical Arts Center in the East Bay, and was director of the 20 piece Oakland Big Band. Moved to Kauai, Hawaii in 1990, after recording at George Benson's Lahaina Sound Studio. Leased an old Roxy Theater on Kauai and promoted musical events until Hurricane Iniki destroyed it in 1992. Performs and records in Hawaii, releasing singles with his wife, vocalist Sistah' SHE, for online download. Produces and performs at the annual All Angels Jazz Festival on Kauai.