Ben Hauptmann’s music has been described as "Lavishly produced, Hauptmann's music is as sparkling as the night sky using a breadth of global reference points producing strikingly original effects." - Peter Wockner. Made possible by winning the 2010 Freedman Fellowship, Ben was joined by eleven musicians from both Sydney and Melbourne to document compositions he had written over the five years prior. For his residency at Bennetts Lane, an ensemble made up of musicians who have all featured on this recording including Gian Slater and Chris Hale will join Ben. Sharing the stage and being influenced by a diverse range of artists including Katie Noonan and her group Elixir to the pop outfit Bluejuice, Ben’s compositions are difficult to categorize. The main element that connects the ‘genre mashing’ is the idea of story and it being shared with the audience. Growing up in a musical household with a love for Jazz, improvisation and interaction between the members of the ensemble are the integral part of Ben and his bands performances. Also featured during this residency will be Damien Slingsby on keyboard, Julian Banks on saxophone and Andrew Keegan on drums.


“Ben Hauptmann is blessed with one of those restless imaginations that makes his music impossible to contain.” – John Shand, SMH.