Ben Makinen is a multi-instrumentalist, composer (BMI), and producer.
Seeing Miles Davis perform live three times and then meeting the Dalai Lama in person forever changed the way Ben would approach the art of music.
Ben is the producer of jazz album Fishleather Jacket which received the Roger Bobo Excellence In Recording Award in June of 2006. He leads the wildly improvisational power trio AREA 15. http://www.cdbaby.com/area15
He is a 2006 Independent Music Awards Finalist in the Film/TV-Multimedia category.
Born in Maine, Ben grew up in California, Washington, and Oklahoma before graduating high school in Colorado.
He has produced a DVD of traditional african dance and music featuring David Gweshe's troupe Boterekwa from Zimbabwe.
As a drummer and percussionist, he has been touring the world as a sideman since 1985 with r&b, funk, and rock bands, jazz trios and big bands, avant-garde electronica ensembles, in Broadway shows, and on international cruise ships.
A Brief History
Ben Makinen is a recording artist, composer (BMI), producer and film maker.
As a drummer and percussionist, he has been touring the world as a sideman since 1985 with r&b, funk, and rock bands, jazz trios and big bands, avant-garde electronica ensembles, in Broadway shows, on international cruise ships, and with opera troupes and symphonic orchestras.
His CDs are sold at CDBaby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/group/benmakinen
He has produced 5 CD's:
"Area 15? Live" http://www.cdbaby.com/area15
"Lost Lullaby" http://www.cdbaby.com/makinen
"December" http://www.cdbaby.com/claycabe
"Fishleather Jacket" http://www.cdbaby.com/tball and
"Rekha" (soon to CDBaby)
This year (2007) he is currently producing three more CDs:
"The Goliath Beetle And The Ladybug";
"Quizzical Glance"; and
Clay Cabe's "The Underworld".
He is a 2006 Independent Music Awards Finalist in the Film/TV-Multimedia category. He has also produced a DVD of traditional african dance and music featuring David Gweshe's troupe Boterekwa from Zimbabwe.
His short films are seen on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/benmakinen
Ben maintains a busy schedule producing and performing. He recently landed a role in the zombie movie Lucky Stiff. He is currently writing music for television and film. One of his many goals for 2007 is to complete production on 3 short films and a documentary he has shot.
This Is Ben Makinen
World Funk, Classitronical Punk - Cinematically Jazzacious Ambient Bug Biff.