Bio

     As one of the most in demand freelance drummers in New England, Ben Bilello can be seen at numerous clubs, concert halls and festivals with a wide variety of artists. Originally from Narragansett, Rhode Island, Ben began playing the snare drum in his elementary school band. As time passed, Ben became interested in learning the drum set, acquiring his first kit at age fourteen.  His first significant exposure to jazz occurred around this time and he made the decision to study music at a formal conservatory. After graduating from Narragansett High School in 1995, Ben moved to West Hartford, Connecticut to begin college.

    In autumn of 1995, Ben entered The Hartt School of Music, majoring in jazz studies/African American music. The jazz students were under the watchful eye of master saxophonist Jackie McLean. Hartt afforded Ben numerous opportunities in the areas of performance and study. While at Hartt, Ben studied drums and percussion with Ben Toth, Tony Leone, and Michael Carvin. He also studied frame drum and riq with master percussionist Glen Velez. During his time at Hartt, Ben was frequently called upon to perform with students, faculty members, and guest artists. In 1997, Ben won the Hartt Award of Excellence in Jazz Studies, presented by Professor McLean. Ben graduated cum laude from Hartt in the spring of 1999 with a BM in Jazz Studies.

    After graduating from Hartt, Ben established himself as a noted performing artist, having worked with the likes of Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Henderson, Anthony Braxton, Joe Wilder, Branford Marsalis, Javon Jackson, Curtis Fuller, George Cables, Gene Bertoncini, Don Friedman, Charles Flores, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Jimmy Greene, Shelton “Fatman” Laster, Wayne Escoffery, and Dezron Douglas/New Jazz Workshop, among many others. In addition to performing with many renowned figures in jazz and improvised music, Ben has toured with the South American folk groups Viva Quetzal and Markamusic.

    In addition to his active performing career, Ben has been an active educator for over twenty years. He is a former faculty member of the Artists Collective, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, UConn Community School of Music, and the Litchfield Jazz Camp. Ben has given clinics and lectured at many of New England’s high schools, colleges, and universities. 

    Currently, Ben is a faculty member at Choate Rosemary Hall and Manchester Community College, a sectional coach at Hall High School, and a self-employed private instructor and clinician. Ben can be seen performing with his own trio, bassist Jeff Fuller, guitarist Rich Goldstein, and vocalist Leala Cyr, among many others.