Nashville-based jazz guitarist and Murray State alumnus Ben Rice has a new album out called, "Seeds." Café Jazz host Dr. Brian Clardy caught up with Rice after a recording session with his band and they talk about his influences, his new album and some thoughts on the holiday season.
Rice says he got into music from his dad making him take piano lessons at a young age. Later, he started playing in the local church. Along the way, he got into percussion in the school band, studied percussion at Murray State and eventually picked up the guitar for his masters degree in Indiana. His guitar influences are Jim Hall, Grant Green and John Abercrombie.
Living in Nashville for about five years now, he played small gigs in the area before joining a classmate from grad school. They started playing jazz and he met a bassist and pianist and found his songwriting influenced by his wife's pregnancy. They keep their presence local, for now.
Rice says he sees a great state of civil unrest in the world. Being 31, this is something he hadn't experienced to the level of his parents' generation. He hopes that during the holidays we remember that we're all human and can love one another.
Hear Café Jazz with Dr. Brian Clardy Wednesday nights at 9 on WKMS.