A performance described as “beautiful music with a surprise around every corner” by MCA head, Richard Letts, captured the 2010 MCA Freedman Jazz Fellowship for Melbourne-based jazz guitarist, Ben Hauptmann.
Ben competed for the $15,000 cash fellowship in a musical shoot-out with singer Gian Slater (Melbourne), pianist Jackson Harrison (Sydney) and conductor/composer Mace Francis (Perth).
Four stand-out performances was seen by over 300 jazz enthusiasts at a standing room only concert at The Studio at the Sydney Opera House last night.
Hear some of Ben’s music on Myspace
About Ben:
Ben Hauptmann is nationally recognized jazz guitarist finishing 2nd in the National Jazz Awards at the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz 2007. He also plays the Mandolin, Banjo and Pipa (Chinese Lute) as well as the Tiple and Charango (traditional instruments from South America). He studied music at the A.N.U. Canberra School of Music (1998 – 2002) from which he received a B.Mus. with 1st class honors in Jazz performance. Ben then moved to Sydney where he became involved in a number of projects including the bands Bertie Blackman, The Alcohotlicks, The Translators, King Curly, Wanderlust, Sydney All Star Big Band, John Morrison’s New Generation, Exposed Bone, Son Veneno and James Morrison’s Band. He also toured through China (Shanghai, Shenzhen), New Zealand (Auckland, Rotarua) and most recently with the Steve Hunter Trio to Indonesia (Sumatra, Java) as well as performing each year at most major Jazz festivals around Australia.
Since then Ben has performed with Tal Wilkenfeld, the Bell Shakespeare Company at The Malthouse Theatre, Michelle Nicole, Bob, Bopstretch, the Translators, Steve Hunter’s Nine Lives, Dale Barlow’s Band and Andrea Keller, as well as performing extensively with The Alcohotlicks.
Ben will begin playing with Katie Noonan and The Captains and Lior in September/October.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/bennyhauptmann#ixzz0w9h0htSC
The MCA Freedman Fellowships Program is a joint initiative of the Music Council of Australia and the Freedman Foundation. The Freedman Foundation was established in 1998 by Laurence and Kathy Freedman.
Written by Masso
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