Album Notes

One & Only You is the new CD from singer/songwriter Ben - an Englishman living in Holland...

Having studied piano since the age of 5, playing the traditional classical repertoire, Ben finally chose to stop playing aged 15 - teenage life, and listening to heavy metal were far more interesting. It was only a few years later after hearing Bruce Hornsby's 'The Way it Is' on the radio, that playing and writing music was of interest again.

Whilst completing a law degree in Bristol, England, Ben once again took up piano study with gifted jazz pianist Dave Buxton (Andy Sheppard). It was Dave's creative and innovative approach to composition that inspired Ben to start writing his own music instead of playing that of others. At the same time, Ben started writing songs.

Having fallen in love with Holland, Ben was accepted to study composition and arranging at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music, where he studied with renowned jazz composer Bob Brookmeyer (Bill Evans, Clark Terry). The songwriting didn't stop, and in May 1996 Ben won in UK magazine 'Sound on Sound' the demo of the month award for 3 of his songs - the review stated:

"This is a tape on which any of the three songs could be a hit for an established artist."

For a few years Ben worked as freelance producer, engineer and musician - working with various Dutch dance artists. A period of singing & playing his way around Holland & Europe broadened his songwriting and singing skills, and this CD is a collection of songs written over this time.