Ben Wendel on Improvisation and Yoshi’s

An episode of the Songs & Stories podcast, hosted by Backstage Bay Area, titled "Ben Wendel on Improvisation and Yoshi’s" was published on April 9, 2026 and runs 34 minutes.

April 9, 2026 ·34m · Songs & Stories

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Summary

Show Notes In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with saxophonist, composer, and producer Ben Wendell — one of modern jazz's most distinctive voices. Born in Vancouver, raised in Los Angeles, and now based in Brooklyn, Ben has built a wide-ranging career as a bandleader, collaborator, and composer. A founding member of Knee Body, he has also worked alongside Bill Frisell, Terrence Blanchard, Gerald Clayton, Taylor Eigsti, and many others.Ben shares the story of how he fell in love with the saxophone in high school, how jazz became his musical "meta language," and why composition — which he describes as "improvising in slow motion" — has become central to his artistic identity. He also talks about his electroacoustic approach, the deep musical telepathy that comes from decades of collaboration, and what Bay Area audiences can expect when his quartet takes the stage at Yoshi's in Oakland. Songs Featured:"On the Trail" – from Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard"Wanderers" (feat. Terrence Blanchard) – from All OneAll music supplied by the artist and used with permission. Ben Wendell Quartet at Yoshi's – Oakland Monday, April 20th | Doors 7:00 PM | Show 7:30 PM Featuring: Nate Wood (drums), Harish Raghavan (bass), Taylor Eigsti (piano) Important Links:Ben Wendell: https://www.benwendel.comTickets: https://yoshis.comBackstage Bay Area: https://www.backstagebayarea.com

Episode Description

Show Notes

In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with saxophonist, composer, and producer Ben Wendell — one of modern jazz's most distinctive voices. Born in Vancouver, raised in Los Angeles, and now based in Brooklyn, Ben has built a wide-ranging career as a bandleader, collaborator, and composer. A founding member of Knee Body, he has also worked alongside Bill Frisell, Terrence Blanchard, Gerald Clayton, Taylor Eigsti, and many others.

Ben shares the story of how he fell in love with the saxophone in high school, how jazz became his musical "meta language," and why composition — which he describes as "improvising in slow motion" — has become central to his artistic identity. He also talks about his electroacoustic approach, the deep musical telepathy that comes from decades of collaboration, and what Bay Area audiences can expect when his quartet takes the stage at Yoshi's in Oakland.

Songs Featured:

"On the Trail" – from Understory: Live at the Village Vanguard
"Wanderers" (feat. Terrence Blanchard) – from All One

All music supplied by the artist and used with permission.

Ben Wendell Quartet at Yoshi's – Oakland Monday, April 20th | Doors 7:00 PM | Show 7:30 PM Featuring: Nate Wood (drums), Harish Raghavan (bass), Taylor Eigsti (piano)

Important Links: