Meet Ben Jenkins of King Soopers in Parker

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

Ben, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been diagnosed with autism since age three. When doctors discovered this, they told my family that I would probably be institutionalized and never speak. However, my mom never gave up and put me in full-time therapy to help me socialize with people, to love, to speak, and to have a musical talent as a pianist. So for that, I took lessons at age eight. My passion for music was inspired from George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”. I learned to play the song by touching the piano for the first time and playing the bridge with my two fingers. Throughout most of my life, I’ve been fond of practicing it, especially when I was a senior in high school. I still play “Rhapsody in Blue” and a lot of numerous types of music on the piano.

My true passion for music, however, came from Disney’s “Fantasia”, because I was amazed to hear the music along with each segment and it introduced me to classical music. After I graduated from Denver School of the Arts, I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston. I played music around Denver to help raise a fund for my tuition. I went to Arapahoe Community College to study Sound Engineering and received a certificate there. Nowadays, I play piano at parties, gigs, and special events. I am also learning to gain independence and working at a King Soopers.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My autism has been a very rough road. I had trouble paying attention to people, saying better words, and remembering words and actions. When someone talks to me, I get easily distracted. When I forget what to say or do, my head is somewhere else. However, the good part of my autism is I memorize songs by hearing them. Also, I have synesthesia, which is hearing color within the music. I have perfect pitch, which makes my roommate very jealous. I still struggle with many challenges every day, but I’m getting through it.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I play the piano for gigs, parties, and special events. I have a great skill of improvisation and memorizing songs by ear. Classical has been my primary type of music to play. I also love to play other music I grew up with, such as pop, rock, folk, jazz, Broadway, and film music. My family, friends, and people at school really enjoy hearing me play music. I memorize a song with my ear and play it. I have a few inspirational people with my music. First, there is Dan Fogelberg, second, my grandmother, who had an incredibly beautiful gift of playing the piano for a long period of time and third, many composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Gershwin.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My musical talent is my most important essential characteristic to my success, followed closely by my desire for independence and work ethic.

Contact Info:

• Address: 8888 Brompton Way Parker, CO 80134
• Phone: 7202888931
• Email: bnjenkins1@gmail.com
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCapEpVGyBq_Gd9pW1H1wyeA

Image Credit:
Luke Hardcastle, Michael Andereck

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