Ben Allison

Born: November 17, 1966

In a career that spans over 30 years, bassist/composer Ben Allison has developed his own instantly identifiable sound. Known for his inspired arrangements, inventive grooves and hummable melodies, Ben draws from the jazz tradition and a range of influences from rock and folk to 20th century and a broad range of music from around the world, seamlessly blending them into a cinematic, cohesive whole.

With his small groups, Ben has toured extensively throughout the world building new audiences with an adventurous yet accessible sound and a flair for the unexpected.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Ben has performed and collaborated with an extremely diverse range of artists including oudist Ara Dinkjian, kora player Mamadou Diabate, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Joe Lovano, Cambodian chapei master Kong Nay, legendary performance artist Joey Arias, tap dancers Jimmy Slide and Gregory Hines and US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, to name a few. He has appeared on over 50 albums by various artists and has written music for film, television and radio, including the theme for the National Public Radio (NPR) show On the Media (which boasts a listenership of over 2,000,000 people), the score for Two Days, a play written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donald Margulies and the theme for The Conversation, a webcast talk show hosted by Pharrell Williams.

Jon Batiste, Randy Newman, Hedvig Mollestad, Emma-Jean Thackray

by Ludovico Granvassu
September 2, 2025

Enjoy a playlist of standout new jazz releases from off the beaten path, with a special focus on late-night band heroes Lenny Pickett, Ron Blake, and Jon Batiste in a one-of-a-kind collaboration with Randy Newman. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Ron ...

Johanna Summer, Ken Stubbs, Hiromi, Kasper Rietkerk & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 30, 2025

Another weekly tour of fresh jazz sounds from all over the map, stylistically and geographically. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Hiromi's Sonicwonder “XYZ" Out There (Telarc) 0:16 Host talks 7:05 Itai Kriss “Drivin'" Daybreak (Jojo) 8:00 Host talks 13:42 Ken Stubbs ...

Wojtek Mazolewski, Anthony Wilson, Andrea Ayace Ayassot, Cosmic Ear & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 26, 2025

Another dive into the lesser-charted corners of the jazz world--recent gems, future classics... with no algorithms involved--this playlist was entirely hand-cranked for your sonic delight.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Anthony Wilson “Walk Tall" House of the Singing Blossoms (Sam First) 0:16 Host talks ...

Olga Amelchenko, Sultan Stevenson, Tom Teasley, Kandace Springs & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 23, 2025

Two gems courtesy of Edition Records, two from Tom Teasley, a heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday, and the ambitious Pianoworks of Kris Defoort--all you need for another beautiful sonic ride.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Sultan Stevenson “El Roi" El Roi (Edition) 0:16 Host ...

Danilo Gallo, Christian McBride, Sting, Andy Summers, Jef Giansily & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 22, 2025

Enjoy a playlist featuring a special collaboration between Christian McBride, Sting and Andy Summers, three of the countless projects that keep Italian bassist Danilo Gallo busy, and the beautiful new releases by Simona Premazzi & Kyle Nasser and Jef Giansily.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" ...

Jason Moran, Fabia Mantwill, Alberto Pinton, ?KSE & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 19, 2025

This playlist kicks off under the banner of “More Is More" spotlighting large ensemble jazz and the creative possibilities that scale can offer. And in doing so it spotlights bands led by forward-looking artists who aren't just writing for big groups but are bringing their own fresh ideas about what big ensemble jazz can sound like. ...

Anne Drummond, Dima Bondarev, Tamir Barzilay, Camila Meza & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 12, 2025

Another round of gorgeous releases, with a spotlight on the sonic alchemy emerging from Pete Min's Lucy's Meat Market studio in L.A.--plus a welcome chance to hear Anne Drummond step into the spotlight as a leader.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Anne Drummond “Tell ...

Paul Cornish, Quite Sane, Silvia Bolognesi, Eric Mingus, Burnt Sugar & More

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 10, 2025

Enjoy a playlist that bridges past, present and future--celebrating two decades of boundary-pushing music from Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber and Quite Sane, honoring the legacy of Gil Scott-Heron, and spotlighting rising voices like Paul Cornish and Alessio Cazzetta.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 ...

Terry Callier, Tobias Meinhart, and The Thing

by Jerome Wilson
August 6, 2025

This episode features jazz hybrids by Terry Callier, Tone Forest, and The Thing as well as purer genre sounds from the likes of Melissa Aldana, Tobias Meinhart, and Mose Allison. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) ...