Ben Ede, originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, earned bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Music from Cal State Los Angeles, and a Master of Arts in teaching from the Longy School of Music.

Ben teaches classes in improvisation, music technology, and composition with the LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Program, and is a member of the Jazz faculty at Heart of Los Angeles Music Studios. He is a founder and former music coordinator of Kid City Hope Place, a nonprofit after-school program dedicated to fostering youth leadership and college aspirations in low-income communities.

Ben and his guitar “Jessie” have performed with and opened for hundreds of artists, including Grammy winners John Legend, Poncho Sanchez, Lady Gaga, and Oscar Hernandez. He performs regularly with The Wiseguys, an 18-piece big band led by the mayor of Montebello, as well as with the Pay It Forward Band, an organization dedicated to using music to effect changes in the nursing home system. Ben’s students have performed at many prestigious venues including LA’s Latin Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Bowl, the House of Blues, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and alongside artists like Damian Marley, Journey, jazz legend Bob Mintzer, and hip-hop artist Big Sean.