Benjamin Croft - Far and Distant Things (2021) [Hi-Res]

Benjamin is a British pianist, keyboardist and composer who has recorded with Randy Brecker, Frank Gambale, Chad Wackerman, Allen Vizzutti, Barry Finnerty and Mike Miller. Known for his extensive knowledge and experience in a multitude of music genres, he is mostly associated with jazz. At the age of seven, Benjamin began piano and trumpet lessons, later going on to study at Leeds College of Music. After graduating, he completed several contracts on international cruise lines and moved to the US. During this period, Benjamin toured the world twice, and worked with artists as diverse as Belinda Carlisle, Leslie Garrett, The Temptations and The Platters. Benjamin relocated to London in 2012, where he became a regular performer at Ronnie Scott's, the Jazz Cafe, Pizza Express Jazz Clubs, The Vortex and others, playing with the finest musicians on the scene. Benjamin also performed in the West End Show, Straight From the Heart, and worked on TV shows such as The Voice and Britain's Got Talent. In 2018, he recorded for Beautiful South founder Dave Hemingway's latest project, Sunbirds, and has been working as a session musician, composer and arranger on a number of projects over the years. His upcoming second album, Far and Distant Things, was recorded throughout 2020, an ambitious project featuring legendary musicians from the US. Benjamin explains: "I initially contacted a selection of my favourite musicians in the UK to play on the tracks; Andy Davies (trumpet), Gareth Lockrane (flute), Henry Thomas and Flo Moore (bass), Tristan Mailliot and Laurie Lowe (drums). Helen Vollam, principal trombone of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Carter Arrington (guitar) were also added to the roster around this period."The writing process continued and I envisioned the UK musicians augmented by a US guest star, or two. In the fall of 2019, I sent out messages to several legendary artists and lifelong inspirations. To my surprise, all showed interest. I now had an all-star line-up!"