Ben Borkowski has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He began writing music as early as middle school, winning 1st place in a national songwriting competition with his rock trio band during high school. Ben is also a hand drum enthusiast, leading the University at Buffalo's drum circle, Namaste, while attending the college. These world rhythms come through in Ben's unique rhythmic style of playing. This "melodic drumming" strumming technique puts the focus of the song on rhythm. Once called a "hippie crooner," Ben sings soulful, upbeat music to keep his audience's feet tapping.
The Ben & Friends project started around 2003. With various rotating accompanists through the years, Ben's music has taken on a style of its own, mixing upbeat, funky grooves with singer/songwriter stories, with plenty of instrumental jamming to gel them together. Ben's musical influences of Jazz, Funk Fusion, and Jam Music also put an emphasis of live improvisation in his performances with his band. Having hosted open mic nights for years, Ben is comfortable in a solo-acoustic setting, but loves most playing with his current band, pebble. Each member adds an outward extension to the core of the music, together meandering in and out of melodies, song structures, and long musical tangents. |
Current and Past Venues:
Snug Harbor - Hammondsport, NY
Union Block Italian Bistro - Hammondsport, NY
Sarassins - Penn Yann, NY
Keuka Lake Arts Festival - Penn Yann, NY
Esperanza Mansion - Branchport, NY
Esperanza Rose (Boat) - Branchport, NY
Keuka Brewing Co. - Pulteney, NY
The Switzerland Inn - Wayne, NY
McGregor Vineyard - Dundee, NY
Heron Hill Vineyard - Hammondsport, NY
Maloney's Pub - Hammondsport, NY
Holmes Plate - Corning, NY
Cap'n Morgan's - Corning, NY
Jake's Saloon - Horseheads, NY
Jazz & Harvest Festival - Corning, NY
Colonial Inn - Watkins Glen, NY
Two Goats Brewing - Lodi, NY
Grist Iron Brewing - Hector, NY
Heavily Brewing - Montour, NY
Snug Harbor - Hammondsport, NY
Union Block Italian Bistro - Hammondsport, NY
Sarassins - Penn Yann, NY
Keuka Lake Arts Festival - Penn Yann, NY
Esperanza Mansion - Branchport, NY
Esperanza Rose (Boat) - Branchport, NY
Keuka Brewing Co. - Pulteney, NY
The Switzerland Inn - Wayne, NY
McGregor Vineyard - Dundee, NY
Heron Hill Vineyard - Hammondsport, NY
Maloney's Pub - Hammondsport, NY
Holmes Plate - Corning, NY
Cap'n Morgan's - Corning, NY
Jake's Saloon - Horseheads, NY
Jazz & Harvest Festival - Corning, NY
Colonial Inn - Watkins Glen, NY
Two Goats Brewing - Lodi, NY
Grist Iron Brewing - Hector, NY
Heavily Brewing - Montour, NY