Ben Riley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben Riley
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Riley in New York City, 1977
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Alexander Riley Jr. |
| Born | July 17, 1933 Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | November 18, 2017 (aged 84) West Islip, New York |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Associated acts | Thelonious Monk, Alice Coltrane |
Benjamin Alexander Riley Jr. (born July 17, 1933 – died November 18, 2017) was an amazing American jazz drummer. He was super famous for playing with the legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. He also played with other great musicians like Alice Coltrane, Stan Getz, and Ahmad Jamal. Ben Riley was also a key member of the jazz group Sphere.
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The Life of Ben Riley
Benjamin Alexander Riley Jr. was born in Savannah, Georgia, on July 17, 1933. When he was just four years old, his family moved to the exciting city of New York. This is where he grew up and started his musical journey.
Early Career and Famous Collaborations
Ben Riley played drums with many famous jazz artists. He performed with musicians like Randy Weston, Sonny Stitt, and Stan Getz. From 1960 to 1962, he was part of a group with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin. He also played with Ahmad Jamal, Billy Taylor, and Ray Bryant.
A very important part of his career was from 1964 to 1967. During this time, he was the drummer in Thelonious Monk's quartet. Monk was one of the most important jazz pianists and composers ever!
Later Years and Other Bands
After playing with Thelonious Monk, Ben Riley continued to work with other jazz legends. He played with Alice Coltrane often between 1968 and 1975. He also joined Ron Carter's group from 1975 to 1977.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Ben was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet. He also played in a band called Sphere. This group was known for playing music inspired by Thelonious Monk. Ben Riley also performed a lot with the pianist Abdullah Ibrahim.
Ben Riley passed away on November 18, 2017, in West Islip, New York. He was 84 years old.
Ben Riley's Music
Ben Riley released several albums as a band leader. These albums showed off his own musical ideas and drumming style. His albums include Weaver of Dreams, Memories of T, and Grown Folks Music.
He also played drums on many, many other albums as a "sideman." This means he was part of the band helping other main artists record their music. He contributed to recordings by famous musicians like Chet Baker, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, and Alice Coltrane. His drumming helped create the sound for many classic jazz albums.
Images for kids
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Ben Riley at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, Half Moon Bay CA March 20, 1988. Trio with Kenny Barron, piano; Rufus Reid, bass
