Ben Willis
bass
Ben Willis plays bass, produces music, and creates collaborative media. He is lucky to be performing in 2023 with many great artists: David Hurley, Sonya Belaya, Annick Odom, Tim Haldeman, James Cornish, Kirsten Carey, Alex Koi, Meg Rohrer, Michael Malis, New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and touring as a member of the bands saajtak, Lovely Socialite, and Throwaway. He writes songs for the Success and Opportunity Band, most recently developing a set of music for a 2022 tour in Japan. He also works as a producer and educator, helping artists develop recordings and performances, and teaching workshops in improvisation and collaborative composition. He is currently recording his quartet for double basses, and new albums with saajtak, Throwaway, and Annick Odom. His mentors in double bass include Richard Davis, Diana Gannet, Robert Hurst, and Valdin Buchmeier. A self-taught animator and video artist, he has made music videos in collaboration with some of his favorite musicians from Detroit, New York, Chicago, Osaka, and Los Angeles