RAVENSCROFT CONCERT SERIES – Ben Wendel | High Heart
Join us on October 14th at 7:30pm for Ben Wendel – HIGH HEART with Taylor Eigsti, Or Bareket & Jonathan Pinson also featuring guest singer Michael Mayo and projected visuals by artist, Xuan in Ravenscroft Hall.
Grammy nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel, born in Vancouver, raised in Los Angeles, and currently living in Brooklyn, has enjoyed a varied career as a performer, composer, producer and conductor. Highlights include multiple domestic and international tours with artists such as Ignacio Berroa, Tigran Hamasyan, Gerald Clayton, Eric Harland, Taylor Eigsti, Snoop Dogg and the late Prince. Ben is a founding member of the Grammy nominated group Kneebody.
In 2015, Ben Wendel released a music-video art project entitled The Seasons inspired by a set of twelve piano pieces written and release each month by Tchaikovsky in 1876. Wendel’s modern take on the idea was to compose and release twelve original jazz chamber duets in video format on YouTube with modern luminaries Joshua Redman, Luciana Souza, Eric Harland, Julian Lage, and Ambrose Akinmusire, among others. As the videos garnered acclaim among social networks, the project became an unexpected word of mouth success and was featured prominently in The New York Times (Best of 2015), NPR’s All Things Considered, and the CBC. To learn more, visit his website here.
Michael Mayo, a vibrant 28-year-old musician, has quickly risen as a standout in the contemporary music scene. Hailing from Los Angeles but now rooted in New York, Mayo’s debut solo album “Bones” showcases his extraordinary talents as a vocalist and composer. With influences spanning from Bobby McFerrin to hip-hop legends, Mayo’s genre-defying approach fuses alternative and neo-soul elements, resulting in a captivating musical experience that explores personal truths and resonates with authenticity. Joining forces with musicians like Ben Wendel, Mayo’s guest vocal performance promises to be a highlight, reflecting his dedication to his craft and his journey towards creative freedom. To learn more, visit his website here.
This will be a show unlike anything done before in Ravenscroft Hall, with visuals aligning with the music projected all over the stage, walls, and seats in Ravenscroft Hall, providing an all immersive experience for all who attend. A trained classical pianist with a passion for ‘visual music,’ Xuan is a boundary-pushing new media artist, filmmaker, and pianist, seamlessly merging music, visual art, and technology in her innovative projects. Her evocative work spans from experimental animation to interactive installations, captivatingly exploring themes of identity and power, and earning her collaborations with esteemed artists and performances at prestigious venues worldwide. To view more of Xuan’s incredible visual artwork, visit her website here.
For the Ravenscroft Concert Series, doors open at 6pm, followed by the performance beginning at 7:30pm. Choose from a fine selection of wine, craft beers, and catered dinner options for purchase before the show. No food or drink will be permitted inside of Ravenscroft Hall. Complimentary valet parking is also available on-site.
