Ben Markley Trio

About

Nocturne favorite Ben Markley returns for a trio series Wednesday nights in June. Ben will be joined by Colorado jazz luminaries Matt Smiley (bass) and Dru Heller (drums) as he explores original works in one of our favorite and intimate formats. Ben Markley is an accomplished pianist, band leader and composer/arranger, active throughout the Rocky Mountain front range and has performed with Brian Lynch, Greg Osby, Eddie Henderson, Terell Stafford, George Garzone, Bobby Shew and John Fedchock and many others. Markley is the leader of the Ben Markley Big Band , a daring ensemble known for their creative takes on beloved modern and contemporary jazz classics. Fresh off the heels of Clockwise: The Music of Cedar Walton , Markley tackles his most ambitious project yet: Ari's Funhouse , a big band album featuring the music of drummer Ari Hoenig, with Hoenig himself in the drum chair. The album received great critical acclaim and was selected as one of the best 4 star rated albums of 2022 by DownBeat magazine. Markley has performed a number of Nocturne artist in residencies, and has two live recordings supported by Nocturne Porductions.