Ben Flocks Trio

Ben Flocks is a saxophonist and storyteller with a clear, warm, and purposeful voice. A veteran performer and educator, Flocks has been lucky to play with luminaries in jazz and beyond, including Dave Brubeck, Patrice Rushen, Antonio Sanchez, and Jumaane Smith. His 2019 release Mask of the Muse features Flocks’ rendition of “Ebb Tide” which has been streamed more than twenty million times and went viral on TikTok.

Growing up in the Santa Cruz mountains, Flocks witnessed lunar grandeur over the churning Pacific surf and filtered through redwood canopies. Following the advice of his elders, he spent over a decade living in New York City, learning from the masters and leading his own bands at the 55 Bar and Cornelia Street Cafe. Flocks is now grounded in Los Angeles where he balances performing with a full schedule teaching at Glendale Community College, Harvard-Westlake, and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

At its foundation, his latest album Moonshades is a trio exploration, acutely aware of the history of saxophone triumvirates led by Flocks’ heroes Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, and Joshua Redman, but concerned with an entirely different avenue, thanks to bandmates Garret Lang and Jay Bellerose. While those trios often relished dexterity and unrelenting momentum, Flocks and his compatriots linger in the openness and unhurried propulsion that comes so naturally to them. For Flocks, the moon is a powerful reminder of the unknowable and the spirit of searching.

Flocks will be joined by Garret Lang on bass and Jay Bellerose on drums for this special hometown album release performance.

Ben Flocks Website
(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)