About Ben Schwartz

  Bennett (Ben) Schwartz began his performing career at the age of nine. As a teenager his notable performances include solos with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, performing at the "Kool" Jazz festival with the McDonalds Tri-State Jazz Band, and soloing with the New York All City Band at Carnegie Hall. As a student at The "Manhattan School of Music" from which Bennett received both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Performance, he had the honor of performing along side musical legends, Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, Lew Soloff, "Blue" Lou Marini, Nick Brignola, Woody Shaw, Bob Mintzer, Steve Ture, and Phil Woods. Since then he has played numerous engagements throughout New York and the Tri-State area. His most memorable engagements include a nation wide tour With "The Grass Roots,""The Turtles,""Mark Lindsay from "Paul Revere and The Raiders" and a performance with "The Duprees" and "The Temptations." Bennett has taught in the New York City Department of Education for more than thirty years. During that time he has taught the Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Electric Bass, Percussion, Drumset, Guitar, and Vocal Coaching. He led a full orchestra, concert band, and a modern band for one hundred performances. As a staff member of the District 14 marching band for ten years he appeared along side the band numerous times at the "Puerto Rican" Day Parade, Pulaski Day Parade, where such dignitaries as Hillary Cilnton, Rudolph Giuliani, and Marty Markowitz marched nearby. He also led his students in many community events throughout Greenpoint, Williamsburg Brooklyn as well as Stapleton Staten Island.