Ben Grossman
Ben's vielle à roue* is a contemporary, electro-acoustic instrument with roots in the European middle ages. Through extended techniques, live-looping and processing, Ben seeks to use it as a physical interface into improvised sound creation, spontaneous composition and the exploration of acoustics, form and extended aesthetics.
Ben Grossman is a musician, composer and improviser living in Guelph, Ontario. Having been exposed to a wide variety of music from a young age, he spent his youth building homemade synthesizers, effects and tape loops and playing electric guitar in his parents’ suburban basement and with various groups in various warehouses around Toronto. He worked with composer/instrument creator/educator Barry Prophet, building new acoustic instruments and composing and improvising in experimental percussion projects. Through percussion and his interest in non-equal tuning systems, Ben became involved in the study, performance and recording of traditional Turkish, Arabic, Irish, Balkan, and French music. In 1997 he studied Turkish music in Istanbul and, since taking up the vielle, he has done workshops and lessons with Valentin Clastrier, Matthias Loibner, Maxou Heintzan and Simon Wascher as well as working on Deep Listening and improvisation with Anne Bourne.
Ben has over 80 CD credits, and has performed and recorded with many ensembles over the years including Mercan Dede, the Toronto Consort, GaPa, Ensemble Polaris, The Altan Yildiz Orkestar, Ima Ensemble, Duo O’Connor-Grossman, Patrick Graham/Rheo, BT, James Keelaghan, Basic Elements, Aradia Ensemble, Loreena McKennitt, Fools Dance, Oliver Schroer and the Stewed Tomatoes, Laurel MacDonald, Alison Melville’s Bird Project, Anne Lederman, Pilgrim's Trail Mix, Pat O’Gorman, Ensemble Ben Trobar, Doula, Rhea's Obsession, and Ensemble Polaris. His work can also be heard in TV and film soundtracks, including the Patty Jenkins film, Monster.
The last few years have seen Ben touring with BT and Loreena McKennitt while continuing to work on other projects, developing a solo performance practice and working in improvised, ad-hoc ensembles. He is currently developing a new duo project with video artist/musician Debashis Sinha: field. His first solo album, Macrophone was released in 2007 and features a unique two CD form for simultaneous, aleatoric playback.
* AKA Drehleier, hurdy gurdy, zanfoña, tekerölant, lira, ghironda.
