Top-notch guitarist Roni Ben-Hur is known to the growing number of listeners who have been captivated by his lyrical playing. He invests his solos with genuine emotion, never sounding as if he is merely running through the changes. Check out any of his recordings and you will wish to hear much more of this special talent."
-- Mark Gardner, Jazz Journal International
(cover feature, Nov., 2006)

Year by year, Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur has been building an increasingly stellar reputation for himself since he first migrated from his native Israel to New York City, back in 1985. A passionate leader, player, composer-arranger, published author and respected educator, Roni now stands as one of the elite players in modern jazz. Keepin' it Open, his fifth release and his debut on the Motema imprint elevates his game yet another notch or two as he leads a company of fellow jazz greats - pianist Ronnie Matthews, drummer Lewis Nash, bassist Santi Debriano, percussionist Steve Kroon and new trumpet sensation Jeremy Pelt through a very personal and multicultural jazz adventure.

As a teenager, Roni Ben-Hur fell in love with jazz while still in his native land of Israel. Born to a family who emigrated from Tunisia, he grew up with the exotic, seductive rhythms of North Africa and the soulfulness of Sephardic Jewish melodies. Interestingly, this unusual background made for a very natural transition to jazz. Roni recalls, "though no one in my family was a professional musician, music was a central part of our life. Every celebration and holiday included singing and dancing, mostly with the accompaniment of hand drums. Music elevated us in times of happiness as well as hardship. This experience taught me the strength and power of music."

 Ben-Hur has performed and recorded as a sideman of choice with such jazz luminaries as Barry Harris, Chris Anderson, Rufus Reid, Walter Booker, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Cecil Payne, Charles McPherson, Etta Jones, Marcus Belgrave and Bill Doggett. He has led his own band at innumerable gigs around New York, including Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Sweet Rhythm, Birdland, The Blue Note, Smoke and Lenox Lounge, and has performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, The JVC Jazz Festival, Belleayre Festival, Mellon Jazz Festival, Princeton Jazz Festival, Saratoga Jazz Festival, the Child of the Sun Festival and more. Ben-Hur also plays guitar on his wife's newest record, Amy London: When I Look in Your Eyes which is slated for tandem release with Keepin' it Open in May on Motema Music.

Jazz Education highlights
An avid educator, Ben-Hur's teaching career began in Israel in 1981. Since then, he has established three successful, ongoing high school jazz music programs at the Professional Performing Arts School, The Coalition School for Social Change, and Landmark High School, all in New York City. His inspirational demeanor and communication skills create a strong personal bond with his students, prompting actress and social / educational activist, Bette Midler, to ask Ben-Hur to model a music education program for other public schools in New York City. He has directed the jazz program at Kaufman Center's Lucy Moses School since 1992.

As an author and teacher, his 2003 book "Talk Jazz Guitar" (distributed by Mel Bay) has been published in both English and Japanese. A second book on harmonic concepts for guitar is due out in the Spring of 2007 (also to be distributed by Mel Bay). Aside from his ongoing teaching duties at the Lucy Moses School in Manhattan, he has also been collaborating with his wife, singer Amy London, on running interactive programs that guide elementary school youngsters into the world of jazz. "Teaching is something I feel very passionate about," says Roni. "I like to provide students with valuable information to help them see the bigger picture. They must always remember that music is art and art is for the sake of beauty for all people because it elevates the human spirit."

Over the past 20 years as a performing artist, Ben-Hur has definitely practiced what he preaches.

• February 6, 2008 - The Diminished Chord - How to Alter and Apply

• September 26, 2007 - Confirmation

• May 2, 2007 - Anatomy of a Tune - Be-bop Style