Before writing, composing, and recording Juba Dance's Orange with Polyphonic the Verbose, this vocalist and multi-instrumentalist performed in various bands including Kenny Keys of the group Eulorhythmics (All Natural Inc.), Record Playas, and Nico B.
A prolific performer and song writer, Ben Lamar began his musical studies at 16 and started playing trumpet with various freelance jazz, blues, Latin, R&B, classical, and rock musicians in Chicago. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and briefly taught in the Chicago Public School system. He performed with the likes of jazz musicians Ernest Dawkins' (AACM) Live the Spirit Band, David Boykins, Ari Brown and others. He also performed with renowned blues musicians Otis Clay and William Kurk. His Latin musical interests led to performances with Angel Melendez, Chicago Samba, Willie Gomez con Cache Orchestra, and Jesus Enrique y Su Orquestra.
Ben Lamar has appeared on recordings by Ernest Dawkins' Live the Spirit Band, recorded live at the World Music Fest 2003. He has recorded with Celso Fonseca--one of today's leading voices of Bossa Nova and co-wrote songs for a Rio de Janeiro-based underground rock group called The Rockz. His Audio 8 debut was on the Record Playas' album Soundtracks for Days, and shortly after he appeared on Polyphonic's Abstract Data Ark before they partnered up to form Juba Dance.
Currently Ben shuffles back and forth from Chicago to Rio and writes and performs with the Brazilian hip hop group A Fillial (Dubas Musica/Universal [Brazil], Verge Records [U.S]). He recently wrote music for a Brazilian short film based on Chet Baker, represented Audio 8 at the Red Bull Music Academy (Toronto, 07), wrapped up the remix compilation Orange Juiced and is working on the next Juba Dance album Apple.
:: A8 Releases
A8023
Juba Dance
Orange Juiced
A8016/CD
Juba Dance
Orange
A8013/CD
Polyphonic the Verbose
Abstract Data Ark
A8007/CD
Record Playas
Soundtrack for Days
