What?!
You weren't able to make it to our concert at the Kalamazoo Public Library?!
Really?!

Well, you're in luck, because the WHOLE thing is online for free. Enjoy!

(w/ Ashley Daneman (voice), Jeremy Siskind (piano), Tom Knific (bass), Christian Euman (drums)

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYvolvc-g6w

Ashley and I got a chance to sit down with Rebecca Thiele at WMUK (102.1 FM - Kalamazoo) for their "Arts and More" Segment. We had a fantastic time talking about our music, family and history. WMUK is the NPR station here in Kalamazoo and always does a great job of putting out some fantastic stories and programming... so glad to be a part of it all.

Check out the short version, long version and manuscript of our interview here: http://www.wmuk.org/post/jazz-couple-combines-raw-lyrics-storytelling-quality

I'm very excited to release a four song EP of all of my original music called "Estelle's Farewell Gift". With a stripped down jazz trio and quartet, I feel the group really digs into the core of the compositions I wrote. The group features Jeremy Siskind (Piano), Andrew Rathbun (Sax) and Ashley Daneman (voice) and was recorded by Gordon van Gent (GvG Productions).

The recording seemed too real to me, like sitting in on a live, intimate performance... I couldn't not let people hear this music. I felt that each composition had a unique life of its own and has inspired me to keep writing - I personally look forward to see what more is to come!

Until then... enjoy the music! You can get it on my bandcamp page by stream, download or purchase (name your price!) - you can also learn some of the backstories behind the compositions:

http://benjedaneman.bandcamp.com

My wife, Ashley and I appeared today on a morning show in Grand Rapids, MI called "eightWest". What an awesome experience it was to get a chance to work with a great crew and talk a bit with hosts Terri De Boer and Rachael Ruiz!! The whole experience was so much fun and can't wait to return sometime in the future.

We did a short interview and performed Ashley's newest arrangement of the classic "Silent Night". We later performed one of Ashley's originals called "Good".

Check out the Youtube clips here if you have a minute or two:

Silent Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcE915DrqTk&list=UUPJH5-nZp_rvlsshLejigXQ&index=3

Good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZH4hA9987U&list=UUPJH5-nZp_rvlsshLejigXQ&index=4

Ashley was recently interviewed about the "house concert" concept.... check it out!!

Thanks for the great article Charlsie Dewey!!!

Ashley was recently interviewed about the "house concert" concept.... check it out!!

Thanks for the great article Charlsie Dewey!!!

Ashley and I recently appeared with Scott VanderWerf at WGVU Radio in Grand Rapids, MI. Listen as we recount the past few years and promote our gig with the West Michigan Jazz Society on November 19th.

http://www.wgvu.org/wgvunews/index.cfm?id=middetail&sty=19005

I'm proud to announce a commission (by Spark and Echo Arts) that I've been working on and recorded over the past couple months is now debuted live on their website! Please take a minute to visit the website, listen and read my little snippet. It is based on the scripture John 15:13 ("There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friend.") and was recorded by myself on trumpet, Jeremy Siskind on piano and Andrew Rathbun on Sax. They sounded amazing and Gordon van Gent (GVG Productions) did a fabulous job recording it!!

http://www.sparkandecho.org/to-lay-down-ones-life_benje-daneman/

Please hit me back with any comments, would love any feedback you might be willing to give!

Looking forward to be returning back to New York City from July 22-29 to hang for a bit and play some gigs with some old friends. After being gone for two years, we're excited to be returning to the city we love!!

We would love to see you while we're there - let us know if you're around or if you're playing somewhere. We'd love to see you and Ashley at our gigs (check out the "Gigs" Section for more info) where we are playing with some FANTASTIC musicians:

Ashley Daneman Group - Caffe Vivaldi (Greenwich Village) - July 26 - 8:30-9:30
Benje Daneman Group - The Shrine (Harlem) - July 27 - 6:30-7:30
Benje Daneman Group - Apologetic's Cafe (E. Village) - July 27 - 9-10:30

Hope to see you out there!