Ben Kuzay: Bass Wizard returns from Hiatus For Two Concerts

After two and a half years on hiatus, The Ben Kuzay Band has returned to perform two back-to-back concerts: Friday, April 4th at Kettle N' Cup in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and Saturday, April 5th at Frankie's in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The Kettle N' Cup show is their cd-release party, being held on the same date Kuzay's new cdA Celebration Of Life hits stores.

Replacing accompaniment guitarist Barry Kuzay is Britta Kuzay. About joining the band, Britta had this to say:

"I listened to Ben’s music the first time on Myspace in 2008. I was quite impressed by his virtuoso playing. What was new to me is that he used the bass guitar as the lead instrument in his compositions. I had listened to a bunch of guitarists that have the guitar in the lead, but the bass guitar, that was new. I ordered his album directly from him and some weeks later it made it over the ocean to Germany in my mailbox. I was very excited and put the album in my CD player. I was not disappointed. Great compositions and excellent arrangements. What is most important to me, as a listener, is that he is not only a virtuoso on his instrument; this man writes compositions out of his soul. As a composer myself I’m not a fan of virtuoso players who noodle down one technical concept after the other and then whip them together into an unmemorable song. I differentiate between musicians and real artists. What I found in Ben’s music is art on its highest level. He has a unique way of playing and composing. I become a huge fan of his music.In summer 2009 I flew over the big sea and visited Ben. I had the luck to see some band practices of The Ben Kuzay Band and I enjoyed it a lot. I’ve seen a bunch of band practices in my life from other bands, but these guys where very professional. No drinking and dumb blabla, that was organised and on the dot. Over the years I’ve had a good look into Ben’s way of song-writing and practicing. He is the only composer I know of who does not write his music down or records it to try out how the other instruments in his compositions go together. He has the music completed in his head when he goes into the studio. Last year he searched for a replacement for his accompaniment guitarist, bassist and keyboardist Barry Kuzay. I’m a classical guitarist; I’m home on the acoustic guitar, so the thought had not crossed my mind to replace Barry. Ben had the idea that I should learn the songs. I was sceptical about that, as I’d never played an instrument for a project other than mine. Ben convinced me and I started to practice the songs. I had a lot of fun practicing the songs I like so much. I’m very excited about the upcoming shows and it is a great honor to me to be a part of the band I’m a fan of."

Like Barry in his time, her duties will also include playing accompaniment keyboard and bass guitar, where the songs call for it.

About his new band member, Ben Kuzay had this to say:

"Britta is a super- and multi-talented young lady who has a bright future ahead of her as a performing artist. She's been writing and recording her own music since she was just a kid, and has a clear vision of what she wants to create- musically, aesthetically, and commercially. She's a natural musician, relying completely on her innate sense of rhythm and melody, so inviting her into the band when a spot opened up was the obvious action to take. Rehearsals are going great, and I'm very excited to debut this line-up on April 4th."

Regarding Barry's departure, Kuzay explained it in this wise:

"Barry's record company Wolf Tower Records has turned into a multinational megaconglomerate. Quite frankly, it takes him about ten hours a day just to run the label, so he needed to choose between playing for me and letting his label either go under or be run by his employees, or quit the band so he can run his lable full-time. He opted for the latter, and I don't blame him, because he has a great business going there, and it's his, it's something he can be proud of, he's built it from the ground up, so I support him in his decision to leave the band and pursue his business. He was very professional about it, giving me notice in September, 2011 that he will play in the band through the end of that year, then be done. I couldn't have asked for a better band-member."

Ben Kuzay Band, 2014:

Ben Kuzay- bass guitar
Daniel Kuzay- guitar & keyboard (lead)
Britta Kuzay- guitar & keyboard (accompaniment)
Allen Sklar- drums

Ben Kuzay "Vortex" (live 4-30-2011)


Ben Kuzay playing bass in Monstrosity at the Maryland Death Fest in 2008:


A song from the brand-new Ben Kuzay album A Celebration Of Life:



Britta Kuzay performing an original composition:



The original Ben Kuzay Band in concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyCGjALtN8s

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