Ben Dameron is a sought after performer, composer and pedagogue based in Milwaukee, WI. He received his degrees in classical guitar from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, having studied with Kevin Callahan, Sergio Assad and René Izquierdo.
In 2021, he recorded his first studio album “Voyage to Phrygia Session”, a collection of original compositions for jazz quartet. He currently performs in his group Badland as well as Heirloom, Match Stick and Cream City Hotclub.
Ben resides on the guitar faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
“In an increasingly competitive guitar world, it is difficult to predict who will be among the leaders of tomorrow. Ben Dameron has all the elements to become a shining star and one of these leaders. Give him some time and his natural talent shall flourish immensely.”
“Dameron is emerging as one of this generation’s most talented and complete artists on the guitar.”
“…his ear, temperament, instincts, technical talent are all first rate.”
“Though a seemingly shy, musically-focused person, Dameron had immediately shown both courage and improvisational skill by opening his set with a request to the audience: “Could anyone give me a few notes, just anything, to work with?” Someone sang out a three-note phrase and he began deftly improvising on it, before his segue into “Rainy Day,” and then Bill Evans and Miles Davis’ pre-modal masterpiece “Nardis.” When rainy night chased us inside, he continued with jazz-guitar pioneer Django Reinhardt’s “Nuage” (or “Cloud”), another perfect and evocative choice, “Pure Imagination” from the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and “Misty.” Though some might question the last two choices, Dameron made them work as delightful and substantial music.” - Read the entire review at kevernacular.com.