Ben Castle

Ben Castle is an award-winning saxophone and clarinet player who has performed and recorded with a vast array of artists across many genres. Equally as passionate about composing, he has written award-winning music and songs for his own projects, TV, film, theatre, adverts and various other commissions.

He has performed with Gregory Porter, Radiohead, Blur, Stan Tracey, Matthew Herbert, Amy Winehouse, Quincy Jones, Marlena Shaw, Paloma Faith, George Michael, Matthew E White, Grace Jones, Lianne La Havas, Sting, John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Jools Holland, Boy George, Jamie Cullum and Dizzee Rascal.

His own albums are an eclectic mixture of all the things he's not allowed to play elsewhere and the influences he's picked up along the way. 'The Heckler' from 'Blah Street' won first prize in the International Songwriting Competition jazz category, judged by Pat Metheny. Joe Zawinul also asked Ben if he could record his own version of the tune but sadly died before he'd had the opportunity.

Ben's new band, @TheTombolaTheory , play original pop music inspired by traditional jazz. Jamie Cullum described them as "Punk Trad" on his BBC Radio show. Their first EP was released on Ben Castle's Major Record Label and there will be a follow up album soon.