BJCG.co.uk
Ben Creighton Griffiths
Harpist, Pianist, Composer, Teacher
Ben's Work
Ben is involved in a number of different projects at the moment, both as a solo artist and group member. For a full biography scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Chube - Electric Jazz Fusion
Chube is a unique and innovative trio featuring Ben on Harp and Keys, Ashley John Long on basses, and Jon Bradford-Jones on drums - pushing the boundaries of genres and their instruments.
Find out more about Chube here The Transatlantic Hot Club
Find out more about his Swing Jazz outfit - the Transatlantic Hot Club - with violinist Adrien Chevalier here. Solo Electro/Acoustic Jazz Harp
Listen to Ben's latest solo jazz recording 'La Vie en Rose' on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, or any of your favourite streaming sites.
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Classical Harp Music
Still in demand as a classical performer, view Ben's YouTube channel for studio and live recordings of varied classical repertoire from across his career.
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About Ben
Ben Creighton Griffiths is a touring Jazz and Classical musician based in South Wales, UK. He made his International debut at the 2004 1er Concours International de Harpe in Nantes, France where, aged 7, he came second in the Under 18 division. In 2006 he won the Under 13 Division of the Wales International Harp Festival before going on to win the 2008 Junior Lily Laskine competition in Paris, winning a concert harp in the process. Other competitions include runner up in the 2009 Texaco Young Musician of Wales, second place in the Elias Parish Alvars Competition 2008, and multiple 1st prizes throughout age categories at the Urdd Eisteddfod of Wales.
International engagements include L'arpa e La voce in Villa (Italy, 2009), The Rio De Janeiro Harp Festival (2010, 2011, 2012), International Harp Festival of Sentmenat (Spain, 2010, 2016), International Jazz Harp Academy (Netherlands, 2010, 2013, 2016), 2nd International Harp Festival of Szeged (Hungary, 2010), Arpa Plus Salamanca (Spain, 2013), 1st Zagreb International Harp Festival (Croatia, 2013), Journees De La Harpe en Caribbean, Guyana, Guadeloupe & Martinique (2013, 2016, 2022), 1st International Prague Harp Festival (Czech Republic, 2014), Dutch Harp Festival (Netherlands, 2016), New Orleans Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend (2017), ABRSM Summer Harp Academy (Louisville USA, 2017), Camac Musikene, (Spain, 2018), Camac Tour Netherlands (Gouda, 2018), Achill International Harp Festival (Ireland, 2019), Godollo International Harp Festival (Hungary, 2018), Confluence New Delhi by HCL (India, 2020), The American Harp Society National Conference (Orlando, 2024), and Arpe Del Mondo (Sardinia, 2024). He also tours extensively in France and Corsica with the Transatlantic Hot Club. Abroad he has performed in venues such as the Salle Gaveau (Paris), The Prague Conservatory, TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht), the Camac Space (Paris), Conservatoire Zino Franscescatti (La Ciotat, France), Godollo Palace (Budapest), Bernard Haitinkzaal Hall (Conservatorium van Amsterdam), and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre (HK Academy for Performing Arts).
Benjamin has also performed at four World Harp Congress’ - Amsterdam (2008) with a performance alongside Russian harpists Andres and Artemy Izmaylov, Vancouver (2011) with a complete solo recital and participation in the memorial concert for Ceren Necipoglu, and Hong Kong (2017) with a complete solo jazz recital, solo performances in a presentation by Vanderbilt Music, and a duet with Catrin Finch during the handover ceremony. In Cardiff (2022) he performed with Adrien Chevalier and Don Sweeney as the Transatlantic Hot Club, performed in A Tribute to Ann Griffiths, and gave a recital on the Camac Exhibition stand on their new Jubile model.
Closer to home Ben has performed as a soloist or with his bands at UK Based International and local festivals including the European Harp Symposium, Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Wales International Harp Festival, Summer Harp Festival, The Monmouth Festival, The East Anglia Harp Festival, The Trinity Harp Festival, The Ludlow Festival, Vale Jazz Festival, Cambridge Jazz Festival, Glasbury Arts Summer School, Harp on Wight, The Urdd Eisteddfod, The National Eisteddfod, Beaumaris Festival, Cardiff Camac Harp Weekend, Wall2Wall Jazz Festival, Aberjazz, Django in the Bay, Llandudno Jazz Festival, Speakeasy Jazz, Black Mountain Jazz Club, Spice Jazz Soho, Croftfest, and the Brecon Jazz Festival. In the UK he has performed in prestigious venues such as the Wales Millennium Centre, Brangwyn Hall, The Anvil, RWCMD, Galeri Caernarfon, Draper's Hall, St David's Hall, The Crazy Coqs London, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, and the Wales Millennium Stadium.
Benjamin has worked with many charities over his career. He is an Official Ambassador for City Hospice (formerly George Thomas Hospice Care), The British Heart Foundation Cymru, and St. John Cymru Wales. On 1st March 2010 he performed at Clarence House for HRH the Prince of Wales at a reception for George Thomas Hospice Care.
In the corporate market Ben has performed at numerous events, dinners, receptions, and presentations for companies and organisations across the world including HCL India, Cardiff Council, The Senedd (Welsh Parliament), Welsh Water, The Anglo/French Medical Society, The Catholic Bishop's Conference, The Wales and Chester Circuit, The Draper's Company London, Marston's Brewery Executive Board, and many more. He also has a weekly residency both performing and fixing musical entertainment at the Maison de Boeuf French Restaurant in Cardiff.
As an Orchestral Musician Ben is the Principal Harp of Orchestra De Cymru and the former Orchestra West. He has performed with The Welsh Sinfonia, Llandenny Strings, Cardiff Philharmonic, Chandos Symphony Orchestra, Taunton Sinfonietta, Hereford Sinfonia, Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Cymru, St Woolos Sinfonia, Frome Symphony Orchestra, Wessex Concert Orchestra, Swindon Symphony Orchestra, Les Alizés, the Orchestra of Le Garde Républicaine, and more. He has also performed with numerous choirs as both a soloist and accompanist.
Ben has worked extensively for TV during his career. As well as many broadcast competitions such as the Urdd Eisteddfod (S4C), and Texaco Young Musicians of the Year (ITV) he has been involved in shooting numerous projects for broadcast on children’s TV such as Bobinogs (Cbeebies) and Take a Bow (CBBC). In 2011 he taught Welsh Rugby legend Gareth Thomas to play the harp for ITV 1s Born to Shine programme. More recent appearances include the Gig Y Pafiliwn (2021 – S4C), Backstage (2023 – ITV Wales), and Katherine Jenkins ‘Home for Christmas’ (2023 – BBC1 Wales).
Whilst continuing his classical work, Ben is now in increasing demand for his jazz performances, working as both a soloist and with bands, singers, and other artists. His jazz repertoire covers all genres, including Swing, Latin, Funk, Electronic and Fusion, Gypsy, and more. He works as both an acoustic artist and also makes extensive use of electronics. He has also been teaching a series of very successful 'Introduction to Improvisation' workshops as both one off events and at Harp Festivals worldwide, aiming to encourage harpists of all ages and abilities into the world of jazz.
Benjamin has released several jazz CD's including his 'Incomplete A-Z of Jazz Harp', 'Pedals & Paws', and '1 Man Band'. His latest solo recording ‘La Vie an Rose’ (released September 2021) is an exploration into Gypsy Jazz, Swing, and French Chanson. Ben has also published numerous sheet music arrangements and original compositions, both classical and jazz, including his popular 'Jazz Harp Series'. His largest work - Concerto for Jazz Harp and Symphony Orchestra - premiered on March 19th 2023 with the Chando Symphony Orchestra in Malvern and is to be published by Adlais Music Publishers soon. It was performed again in November 2023 with the Swindon Symphony Orchestra and with the Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra in March 2024 at the Wiltshire Music Centre. The next performance is the Welsh Premiere at the BBC Hoddinott Hall with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ben works extensively with Avignon born and New York based gypsy jazz violinist Adrien Chevalier as part of their group – The Transatlantic Hot Club. Read more about the Hot Club here.
He is also a founding member of Electro-Acoustic fusion group ‘Chube’ alongside percussionist Jon Bradford-Jones and bassist Ashley John Long. Read more about Chube here.
International engagements include L'arpa e La voce in Villa (Italy, 2009), The Rio De Janeiro Harp Festival (2010, 2011, 2012), International Harp Festival of Sentmenat (Spain, 2010, 2016), International Jazz Harp Academy (Netherlands, 2010, 2013, 2016), 2nd International Harp Festival of Szeged (Hungary, 2010), Arpa Plus Salamanca (Spain, 2013), 1st Zagreb International Harp Festival (Croatia, 2013), Journees De La Harpe en Caribbean, Guyana, Guadeloupe & Martinique (2013, 2016, 2022), 1st International Prague Harp Festival (Czech Republic, 2014), Dutch Harp Festival (Netherlands, 2016), New Orleans Jazz and Pop Harp Weekend (2017), ABRSM Summer Harp Academy (Louisville USA, 2017), Camac Musikene, (Spain, 2018), Camac Tour Netherlands (Gouda, 2018), Achill International Harp Festival (Ireland, 2019), Godollo International Harp Festival (Hungary, 2018), Confluence New Delhi by HCL (India, 2020), The American Harp Society National Conference (Orlando, 2024), and Arpe Del Mondo (Sardinia, 2024). He also tours extensively in France and Corsica with the Transatlantic Hot Club. Abroad he has performed in venues such as the Salle Gaveau (Paris), The Prague Conservatory, TivoliVredenburg (Utrecht), the Camac Space (Paris), Conservatoire Zino Franscescatti (La Ciotat, France), Godollo Palace (Budapest), Bernard Haitinkzaal Hall (Conservatorium van Amsterdam), and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre (HK Academy for Performing Arts).
Benjamin has also performed at four World Harp Congress’ - Amsterdam (2008) with a performance alongside Russian harpists Andres and Artemy Izmaylov, Vancouver (2011) with a complete solo recital and participation in the memorial concert for Ceren Necipoglu, and Hong Kong (2017) with a complete solo jazz recital, solo performances in a presentation by Vanderbilt Music, and a duet with Catrin Finch during the handover ceremony. In Cardiff (2022) he performed with Adrien Chevalier and Don Sweeney as the Transatlantic Hot Club, performed in A Tribute to Ann Griffiths, and gave a recital on the Camac Exhibition stand on their new Jubile model.
Closer to home Ben has performed as a soloist or with his bands at UK Based International and local festivals including the European Harp Symposium, Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Wales International Harp Festival, Summer Harp Festival, The Monmouth Festival, The East Anglia Harp Festival, The Trinity Harp Festival, The Ludlow Festival, Vale Jazz Festival, Cambridge Jazz Festival, Glasbury Arts Summer School, Harp on Wight, The Urdd Eisteddfod, The National Eisteddfod, Beaumaris Festival, Cardiff Camac Harp Weekend, Wall2Wall Jazz Festival, Aberjazz, Django in the Bay, Llandudno Jazz Festival, Speakeasy Jazz, Black Mountain Jazz Club, Spice Jazz Soho, Croftfest, and the Brecon Jazz Festival. In the UK he has performed in prestigious venues such as the Wales Millennium Centre, Brangwyn Hall, The Anvil, RWCMD, Galeri Caernarfon, Draper's Hall, St David's Hall, The Crazy Coqs London, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, and the Wales Millennium Stadium.
Benjamin has worked with many charities over his career. He is an Official Ambassador for City Hospice (formerly George Thomas Hospice Care), The British Heart Foundation Cymru, and St. John Cymru Wales. On 1st March 2010 he performed at Clarence House for HRH the Prince of Wales at a reception for George Thomas Hospice Care.
In the corporate market Ben has performed at numerous events, dinners, receptions, and presentations for companies and organisations across the world including HCL India, Cardiff Council, The Senedd (Welsh Parliament), Welsh Water, The Anglo/French Medical Society, The Catholic Bishop's Conference, The Wales and Chester Circuit, The Draper's Company London, Marston's Brewery Executive Board, and many more. He also has a weekly residency both performing and fixing musical entertainment at the Maison de Boeuf French Restaurant in Cardiff.
As an Orchestral Musician Ben is the Principal Harp of Orchestra De Cymru and the former Orchestra West. He has performed with The Welsh Sinfonia, Llandenny Strings, Cardiff Philharmonic, Chandos Symphony Orchestra, Taunton Sinfonietta, Hereford Sinfonia, Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Cymru, St Woolos Sinfonia, Frome Symphony Orchestra, Wessex Concert Orchestra, Swindon Symphony Orchestra, Les Alizés, the Orchestra of Le Garde Républicaine, and more. He has also performed with numerous choirs as both a soloist and accompanist.
Ben has worked extensively for TV during his career. As well as many broadcast competitions such as the Urdd Eisteddfod (S4C), and Texaco Young Musicians of the Year (ITV) he has been involved in shooting numerous projects for broadcast on children’s TV such as Bobinogs (Cbeebies) and Take a Bow (CBBC). In 2011 he taught Welsh Rugby legend Gareth Thomas to play the harp for ITV 1s Born to Shine programme. More recent appearances include the Gig Y Pafiliwn (2021 – S4C), Backstage (2023 – ITV Wales), and Katherine Jenkins ‘Home for Christmas’ (2023 – BBC1 Wales).
Whilst continuing his classical work, Ben is now in increasing demand for his jazz performances, working as both a soloist and with bands, singers, and other artists. His jazz repertoire covers all genres, including Swing, Latin, Funk, Electronic and Fusion, Gypsy, and more. He works as both an acoustic artist and also makes extensive use of electronics. He has also been teaching a series of very successful 'Introduction to Improvisation' workshops as both one off events and at Harp Festivals worldwide, aiming to encourage harpists of all ages and abilities into the world of jazz.
Benjamin has released several jazz CD's including his 'Incomplete A-Z of Jazz Harp', 'Pedals & Paws', and '1 Man Band'. His latest solo recording ‘La Vie an Rose’ (released September 2021) is an exploration into Gypsy Jazz, Swing, and French Chanson. Ben has also published numerous sheet music arrangements and original compositions, both classical and jazz, including his popular 'Jazz Harp Series'. His largest work - Concerto for Jazz Harp and Symphony Orchestra - premiered on March 19th 2023 with the Chando Symphony Orchestra in Malvern and is to be published by Adlais Music Publishers soon. It was performed again in November 2023 with the Swindon Symphony Orchestra and with the Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra in March 2024 at the Wiltshire Music Centre. The next performance is the Welsh Premiere at the BBC Hoddinott Hall with the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ben works extensively with Avignon born and New York based gypsy jazz violinist Adrien Chevalier as part of their group – The Transatlantic Hot Club. Read more about the Hot Club here.
He is also a founding member of Electro-Acoustic fusion group ‘Chube’ alongside percussionist Jon Bradford-Jones and bassist Ashley John Long. Read more about Chube here.
October 2024
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