BENJAMIN MAY

Musician, Arranger, Music Educator

About Me

After many years of classical training, I moved to the Los Angeles area to pursue performing jazz full time. With 35 years and 14,000+ performances in LA, I have amassed a great deal of real life experience on the stage that I use to enrich and encourage the students I work with. In addition, I worked as an instrumental aid, full time, for over 20 years in Long Beach Unified School District.

In 2023, I relocated to Pittsburgh and I am now actively a part of the jazz scene. In 2024, I became a member of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic as principal bass.

Performance calendar

Monthly Weekly Daily List Tile

February 2026

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Etta Cox at City of Asylum
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Etta Cox – Vocals Kevin Moore – Piano Benjamin May – Bass John Korpiel – Drums City of Asylum Address: 40 W North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Phone: (412) 435-1110 , ...
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Mode Indigo Live at Uncorked!
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
  Address: 703 Main St, Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Phone: (412) 408-3038 Menu: uncorkedpgh.com Reservations: spotapps.co , ...
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Private Party
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Etta Cox at the Greer Theater
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Etta Cox Kevin Moore – piano Mark Strickland – guitar Benjamin May – Bass John Korpiel – Drums This 260-seat venue features live music, comedy shows & special events with in-theater dining. Service options: Has restaurant Address: 655 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Ph , ...
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Mode Indigo – live jazz at Con Alma
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Mode Indigo will be performing live at Con Alma. Located in: The Roosevelt Building Address: 613 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Phone: (412) 932-2387 Menu: conalmapgh.com , ...
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My Journey

As a freelance bassist, I have worked with countless singers and music groups ranging from full big bands or symphony orchestras, to small combos like quintets or as small as a duo. Some notables I have performed with include: Joe Pass, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O’Day, Annie Ross, Bonnie Raitt, Ben Vereen, Bill Henderson, Barbara Morrison, Llew Matthews, Johnny Crawford, Bill Elliot, Al Viola, Frank Sinatra Jr., Seth MacFarlane, just to name a few. A have also opened for Joe Zawinul, and Tony Bennett. As a recording artist, I have recorded on over 40 CDs for various artists and projects.

Discography

ArtistAlbumReleasedLabel
Bill ElliotThe Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra featuring Vocalworks & Amy Weston1994Wayland Records
Dan St. MarseilleRetrospection1995Resurgent Music
Barbara MorrisonI Know How to Do It1997Chartmaker Records
Charles RutherfordCollage1997Sea Breeze Records
Sherwood SledgeLove Me By Name1999Maywood Records
Ron EschetéThe Beatles: Instrumental Jazz Tribute2000Sugo Records
Dewey EarneyChristmas Time is Here2000Resurgent Music
Beth Fitchet WoodSilos2001Maywood Records
Judy ChamberlainRoad Trip2002JazzBabyRecords
DraganaI Still Feel You2002CD Baby
Dewey EarneyStandards of Excellence, Volume 1, Dearly Beloved2003Resurgent Music
Dewey EarneyStandards of Excellence , Volume 3Resurgent Music
The BaroquelelesMeet the Baroqueleles2005CD Baby
The BaroquelelesA Baroquelele Christmas2005CD Baby
Rick BlessingI'm Just The Guy For You2007
Janice AndersonThe Sweetest Sounds2013CD Baby
Brynn StanleyClassic2017SonoPath Productions

Find Out More

My musical hobbies include being a multi-instrumentalist, collecting instruments, arranging and composing, and expanding my musical horizons to new influences and opportunities to learn and grow as a musician.

Feeling Nostalgic?

Check out our beautiful jazz ensemble, Mode Indigo. Nostalgic music with a twist for special occasions.