Daily Inspiration: Meet Ben Parrish

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Parrish. 

Hi Ben, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with jazz when I was 16 years old. In 2012 I decided to move to Colorado from my home In Washington state to study jazz guitar at The University of Northern Colorado. I graduated in 2015 and started performing and teaching music full-time shortly after. In 2019 I graduated from The University of Denver with an MM in Jazz Performance. Since then, I have continued to do similar work involving teaching private music lessons and performing at jazz clubs, weddings, rock venues, and more. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been a bit bumpy but I’ve been grateful to have good work opportunities in Denver. The most difficult struggle occurred at the beginning of the pandemic when I was declined unemployment aid and had to survive on less than 25% of my normal work/earnings. I lost thousands of dollars over the first year and have only recently made this income back. The other struggles of being a musician are mostly mental such as feeling inadequate and usually occur when I’m not getting called for gigs or working enough. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I play guitar for a living. I specialize in jazz and I’m often called for gigs because I can show up and read and interpret music on the fly without much talk. My knowledge of jazz repertoire is fairly extensive and I know most of the standard tunes that are often called on a gig. A combination of my tune knowledge, bebop language, and reading skills sets me apart from most guitarists. I’m generally easy to work with and I don’t require much of an explanation or rehearsal time. Put a clean chart in front of me and I’ll take care of the music, no questions asked. The other thing that sets me apart is my composing. I have two records out that showcase my original music. The most recent one is titled “Quiet Stream” and can be listened to on all major streaming platforms. 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was very energetic, curious, and passionate growing up. I’ve always loved music and the outdoors. My parents raised me on hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. One of my favorite hobbies since I was 15 is yoyoing. 

Contact Info:

• Website: benparrishmusic.com
• Instagram: benparrishmusic

Image Credits
Kassy Mahea photography
Nikki Rae Photography