Ben Morris

Profile

Dr. Benjamin Morris is an active saxophonist and chamber musician who brings his love of cross-genre performance to the stage. Benjamin’s study of jazz, classical, and commercial music has led to myriad performance opportunities with a wide range of ensembles and artists. In 2017, Morris became one of three saxophonists for the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL and has performed with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra, and the Nu Deco Ensemble. His multi-faceted musicianship has also led to performance opportunities with the Balcony Big Band, Frost School of Music Concert Jazz Band, and the South Florida Wind Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Benjamin has also been a featured soloist with the Miami Sousa Band and the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble.

Chamber has remained a focus in Benjamin’s musical career and has led him to co-found two professional saxophone quartets. The Deco Saxophone Quartet, winners of the inaugural Artist Launch Competition at the Frost School of music, and the Bridges Saxophone Quartet with genre-bending commissions from the likes of Bob Reynolds and Troy Roberts. An accomplished performer, Benjamin is also deeply invested in educating the next generation of musicians as well as exposing student composers and the public to the sonic capabilities of the saxophone.

Dr. Morris received his D.M.A. from the Frost School of Music where he studied with saxophone legend Dale Underwood. Before Miami, Benjamin obtained a Master of Music from Carnegie Mellon and a Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University.

Benjamin is currently the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Morehead State University where he is excited to give back to the school and community that helped to kickstart his musical career nearly ten years ago.