Ben Morris

Ben Morris is a composer and pianist who lives equally in the worlds of jazz and contemporary classical music. He recently studied in Oslo, Norway, on a Fulbright Grant, composing a work for big band and video inspired by his Norwegian heritage. His compositions have been performed by ensembles including the American Composers Orchestra, NOW Ensemble, the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Trombonist Vincent Gardner, unassisted fold, Imani Winds, Living Earth Show and the NDR Big Band.

Morris’s accolades include performing at the Newport Jazz Festival; attending the Aspen Music Festival; studying at the National Gugak Center in Korea; and receiving the ASCAP Morton Gould and Herb Alpert Awards, commissions from the American Composers Orchestra Jazz Composers Institute and New York Youth Symphony, as well as a Downbeat Award. Morris completed his studies at Rice University and the University of Miami and is currently pursuing a DMA at the University of Colorado Boulder.