Ben Stivers

Ben Stivers is an American piano, organ, and keyboard player based in Brooklyn, NY who records, tours and collaborates with top artists across multiple genres including jazz, blues, rock, pop, Latin pop and jazz fusion.

Early life

Stivers was born in Indiana but his family moved to Las Vegas when he was four to pursue musical careers. His father was the bandleader at UNLV and his mother was a professional violin player. Stivers was a devoted classical piano student and earned recognition as a finalist in the prestigious Arnold Bullock National Piano Competition at age 16. While attending Chaparral High School (Paradise, Nevada), he took an interest in jazz fusion bands such as the Yellowjackets and Weather Report that drew him to synthesizers and groove.

Miami

Stivers moved to Miami in 1986 to pursue a degree in Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami Frost School of Music under Vince Maggio.

In Miami he worked with numerous high-profile artists such as Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Exposé, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Emilio Estefan, Dan Warner, Matchbox 20 and many others.

A highlight of his Miami years was his collaboration with the Gibb family. He has toured and collaborated with Barry Gibb since the early 90s and he played piano and keyboards with the Bee Gees. Ben played on the Bee Gees records This Is Where I Came In and One Night Only (Bee Gees album). He continues to collaborate with Barry Gibb in the studio and on stage as keyboard player in the Barry Gibb Band.

Mallorca

Stivers moved to Spain in the late 90s to pursue a full-time jazz residency project in Mallorca.

New York City

In 2001 Stivers moved to New York City, where he played with musicians such as Teddy Kumpel, Kenny Rampton, Rez Abbasi, Donny McCaslin, Groove Collective and many others. He subsequently founded the Ben Stivers Organ Trio.

In addition to his jazz piano and organ work he collaborates with many singer/songwriters, dance studios, producers and performers. Some of his collaborations include Scott Sharrard, James Maddock, Dana Fuchs, Jason Darling, Kate Chaston, Christine Courtin and others.

As of 2017, he is a member of the Chris Botti Band. Other recent tours include the Barry Gibb Mythology Tour, Rez Abbasi, Gregg Allman Band, and others.

Discography

2017 The Green James Maddock
2016 Behind the Vibration Rez Abbasi
2016 In the Now Barry Gibb
2015 Gregg Allman Live: Back to Macon, GA Gregg Allman
2014 Heart of Memphis Robin McKelle / Robin McKelle & the Flytones
2013 Moon over Babylon Kenny Rampton
2012 Scott Sharrard & the Brickyard Band Scott Sharrard
2010 Mirror Marcus Wolf
2009 Far from Home: A Tribute to European Song Beat Kaestli
2009 What Does It Take? Nell Bryden
2007 Black and White Tour Ricky Martin
2007 Ricky Martin... Live Black & White Tour Ricky Martin
2006 No Vacancy Jake Stigers
2006 Five O'Clock News Ryan Scott
2006 Got the Impeach Bush/Cheney Blues
2006 Kazually Speaking Kazual
2006 MTV Unplugged (Ricky Martin album) Ricky Martin
2006 MTV Unplugged (Ricky Martin album) DVD Ricky Martin
2003 Deluxe Ron Sunshine
2002 Shallow Breath Marcus Wolf
2001 This Is Where I Came In Bee Gees
2000 VH1 Storytellers Bee Gees
1998 One Night Only (Bee Gees album) Bee Gees
1998 One Night Only [Single] Bee Gees
1998 Señor Bolero José Feliciano
1996 Armageddon Mission Control
1996 Trilogia [1]
1995 Let 'Em Roll Dice
1994 On a Ride Rahiem
1992 Exposé (album) Exposé
1991 Extra Strength Active Ingredient