Beyond Romance - Songs By Ben Bierman

Contemporary music that crosses genres with ease has received much attention recently, but for veterans of the New York freelance scene, this fluidity has been a fundamental part of musical life for decades. Trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader Ben Bierman has absorbed his wide ranging experience in jazz, contemporary classical music, salsa, and cabaret and synthesized these influences into a new song cycle, Beyond Romance. This song cycle, with lyrics by the songwriting luminary Earl Shuman (writer of “Hey There Lonely Girl” and “Seven Lonely Days" among many others), chronicles the depth of middle age relationships. Beyond Romance is a sophisticated blend of contemporary art song, cabaret, jazz, and Latin jazz performed beautifully here by critically acclaimed jazz and Broadway performers Hilary Gardner, Matthew Scott, and pianist Jeb Patton. The cycle has hints of a range of influences, from Sondheim to Bolcom to Cole Porter, but is mostly characterized by Bierman's tasteful ease with drawing from various sources. Rounding out the recording is Bierman's subtle Six Songs, a collection of songs without words alluding to his experience in Latin jazz, and featuring his performances on trumpet, piano, and bass, alongside his son Emanuel on cajón.

Ben Bierman’s works have been performed by, among others, Cygnus Ensemble, The Remarkable Theater Brigade’s Opera Shorts, the Nevada Opera Theater, 60x60 Project, Anderson/Fader guitar duo, The New York Victorian Consort and the CUNY Graduate Center Contemporary Music Ensemble. He was the Composer-in-Residence for the Goliard Ensemble, and his orchestral work, Proximities, was conferred the status of special recognition by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in their Synergy Project competition. As a trumpet player he has performed and recorded with such diverse artists as B.B. King, Archie Shepp, Machito, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Johnny Copeland, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughn, James Cotton, and Butch Morris.

Ben is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Music at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. His scholarly work has lately concentrated on the work of little known jazz composers. Ben has a Ph.D. in composition from The Graduate Center, City University of New York, and has studied composition with Tania León, David Del Tredici, and John Corigliano.