Benjamin “Ben” Strickland is a North Carolina–based musician, educator, and music-industry professional whose career bridges performance, education, and the craftsmanship of brass instruments and mouthpieces. He performs on cornet with the North Carolina Brass Band and has also appeared with the ensemble as a featured jazz soloist. His original arrangements can also be heard in NCBB performances as well as have been performed by school, collegiate, professional, and military ensembles all over the world.
Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Greensboro College and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Florida State University, where he studied with acclaimed trumpeter and Count Basie Orchestra director Scotty Barnhart. He developed his work as an arranger under the guidance of trombonist, composer, and educator Paul McKee.
A veteran of the United States Navy Band, Benjamin performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. His appearances included the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Memphis in May, Umbria Jazz, the Roma Jazz Festival, and the Pozzuoli Jazz Festival.
Benjamin currently teaches in the Department of Business, Creative and Performing Arts at Guilford Technical Community College. He also performs with Too Phat Brass Band, The Magnificents, New South Brass Quintet, the Gate City Ramblers, and his wife, vocalist Erin Strickland. They live in North Carolina with their daughter, Rosalie. Beyond the stage and classroom, Benjamin is Greg Black’s business partner at Greg Black Mouthpieces, where he works with musicians to help them find equipment suited to their individual musical and physical needs.
Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Greensboro College and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Florida State University, where he studied with acclaimed trumpeter and Count Basie Orchestra director Scotty Barnhart. He developed his work as an arranger under the guidance of trombonist, composer, and educator Paul McKee.
A veteran of the United States Navy Band, Benjamin performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa. His appearances included the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Memphis in May, Umbria Jazz, the Roma Jazz Festival, and the Pozzuoli Jazz Festival.
Benjamin currently teaches in the Department of Business, Creative and Performing Arts at Guilford Technical Community College. He also performs with Too Phat Brass Band, The Magnificents, New South Brass Quintet, the Gate City Ramblers, and his wife, vocalist Erin Strickland. They live in North Carolina with their daughter, Rosalie. Beyond the stage and classroom, Benjamin is Greg Black’s business partner at Greg Black Mouthpieces, where he works with musicians to help them find equipment suited to their individual musical and physical needs.
