Ben Wendel (born February 20, 1976) is a Canadian-American jazz saxophonist, bassoonist, and pianist who is a founding member of the band Kneebody. He has worked with Ignacio Berroa, Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Frisell, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Gerald Clayton, Taylor Eigsti, Linda May Han Oh, Eric Harland, Moonchild, Louis Cole, Daedelus, Snoop Dogg, and Prince.
Career Wendel was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and raised in Los Angeles. Highlights include multiple domestic and international tours with artists such as Ignacio Berroa, Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Frisell, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sanchez, Gerald Clayton, Taylor Eigsti, Linda May Han Oh, Eric Harland, Moonchild, Louis Cole, Daedelus, Snoop Dogg and Prince. Ben is a founding member of the Grammy nominated jazz-fusion group Kneebody. As a composer, he has received an ASCAP Jazz Composer Award, the 2008 and 2011 Chamber Music America New Works Grant, and the Victor Lynch-Staunton award by the Canada Council for the Arts. He co-wrote the score for John Krasinski's adaptation of David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men. He worked with conductor Kent Nagano in producing concerts for the Festspiel Plus in Munich, Germany. From 2008 to 2015, he produced a multi-genre performance series at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California. During that time he was appointed the head of their Jazz and Blues initiative. As part of this appointment, he helped to create an artistic council which included Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert, and Luciana Souza. Wendel has taught jazz at the University of Southern California and The New School in New York City.
In 2024, Wendel received a Grammy Award nomination of Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his 2023 album entitled All One.
Discography As leader or co-leader Source: Simple Song (Sunnyside, 2009) Frame (Sunnyside, 2012) Small Constructions (Sunnyside, 2013) What We Bring (Motéma, 2016) The Seasons (Motéma, 2018) High Heart (Edition, 2020) All One (Edition, 2023) Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard (Edition, 2024) Barcode (Edition, 2026)
With Kneebody Kneebody (Koch, 2005) Low Electrical Worker (Jazz Engine, 2007) Kneebody Live: Volume One (2007) Twelve Songs by Charles Ives (w/ Theo Bleckmann) (2009) Kneebody Live: Volume Two/Italy (2009) You Can Have Your Moment (Winter & Winter, 2010) Kneebody Live: Volume Three/Paris (2011) The Line (Concord, 2013) – recorded in 2012 Kneedelus (Brainfeeder, 2016) Anti-Hero (Motéma, 2017) By Fire (2019) Chapters (Edition, 2019) Live at Le Crescent (2022) Reach (2025) With ACT (Wendel, Harish Raghavan, and Nate Wood) ACT (2009) ACT II (2015)
As producer With Darryl Holter
2018: Roots and Branches 2015: Radio Songs 2012: Crooked Hearts 2010: West Bank Gone 2009: Darryl Holter
With Kneebody + Daedelus
2015: Kneedelus
With David Cook
2023: Loyal Returns 2015: Scenic Design
With Dan Tepfer
2011: Goldberg Variations/Variations
As sideman With Jeremy Dutton
2023: Anyone is Better Than Here With Daedelus 2003: Meanwhile 2003: Live Airplane Food 2003: Invention (Plug Research) 2003: Tigerbeasts6 Inc. 2003: Adventure Time 2002: Spacesettings With Next.Ape
2023: The Fourth Wall
With Tom Ollendorff
2023: Open House
With Terrace Martin
2023: Mind Your Business 2020: Terrace Martin's Gray Area
With Nabate Isles
2023: En Motion
With Fabia Mantwill Orchestra
2021: EM.PERIENCE
With Bruno Schorp
2021: The Depths
With Gerald Clayton
Tributary Tales (Motéma, 2017)
With Matt Brewer
2016: Unspoken
With Romain Pilon
2015: The Magic Eye
With Guilhem Flouzat
2015: Portraits
With Phil Donkin
2015: The Gate With Linda May Han Oh 2017: Walk Against Wind (Biophilia) 2013: Sun Pictures (Greenleaf Music) With Philip Dizack
2013: Single Soul
With Moonchild
2012: Be Free With Todd Sickafoose 2008: Tiny Resistors (Cryptogramophone) 2006: Blood Orange (Secret Hatch)
With Tigran Hamasyan 2015: Mockroot (Nonesuch) 2014: Shadow Theater (Verve) 2008: Arrata Rebirth 2006: Word Passion With Taylor Eigstei
2024: Bucket of F's 2008: Let It Come To You 2006: Lucky To Be Me (Concord Jazz)
With Otmaro Ruíz
2014: A Jazz Life
With Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra
2023: Unfinished Symphony 2004: Dakah Live @ Grand Performances 2002: Scion Sampler 2002: Live @ The North Beach Jazz Festival
With Adam Rudolph 2004: Go Orchestra Web of Light (Meta) 2002: Go: Organic Orcehstra Vol. 01 With Good Charlotte:
2007: Good Morning Revival
With Marco Antonio Solís
2003: Trozos De Mi Alma
With Michael Whittaker
2006: Modern World
With Atlantiquity
2005: Kleeer
With Jason Mraz
2002: Waiting For My Rocket To Come
With Evgeny Pobozhiy
2022: Elements For Peace
With others Christina Aguilera & Cher, Burlesque (RCA, 2010) Busdriver, Perfect Hair (Big Dada, 2014) Shane Endsley, 2nd Guess (Endsley Music, 2002) Joel Harrison, Infinite Possibility (Sunnyside, 2013) The Long Lost, The Long Lost (Ninja Tune, 2009) Ross McHenry, Nothing Remains Unchanged (First Word, 2020) Melissa Morgan, Until I Met You (Telarc, 2009) Jason Mraz, Waiting for My Rocket to Come (Elektra, 2002) Josh Nelson, I Hear a Rhapsody (Steel Bird Music, 2009) Austin Peralta, Endless Planets (Brainfeeder, 2011)
References
External links Official site Ben Wendel Interview on The Tonearm Podcast