Ben Parrish is a guitarist, composer, arranger and educator based in Denver, CO. A Seattle native, he moved to Greeley in 2012 where he attended the University of Northern Colorado. He graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in jazz guitar and again in 2019 with a Master's degree in jazz guitar from the University of Denver.

 

Ben plays in several groups, including internationally-renowned rock band Milquetoast and Company, Dart Echo, Dr. Lunch, and Thunder Hill Jazz Band. His studio experiences include work with MLQ, The Cairn Project, UNC Lab Band I, and numerous pop, RnB, and folk projects. Ben has performed at various music festivals including Music in The Mountains (Durango, CO), Summerfest (Milwaukee), and 5 points jazz festival (Denver, CO). His debut recording, "Song of the Forest" was released in 2015 and featured all original compositions. He has worked as the house guitarist onboard the Norwegian Jade cruise ship. In 2013, Ben won 1st place in the UNC Jazz Composition Contest. In 2018, he was a member of the Lamont Jazz Orchestra which won 1st place at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Ben currently plays throughout Colorado in jazz settings, wedding bands, and rock groups on both guitar and bass.

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In addition to actively performing, Ben maintains a private teaching studio with students of all ages. 

 

Ben's latest EP of original music entitled "Crankbait" is out now. 

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