Ben Gerstein

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, I grew up in a musical family surrounded by the sounds of jazz and classical music. I began playing trombone at age 11, following in my father’s footsteps, and music has been at the heart of my life ever since. From the beginning, my passion and focus have been rooted in improvisation.

At 17, I left Santa Barbara to attend the Manhattan School of Music as a jazz major on a full scholarship. I thrived as a professional musician in New York City for 25 years, primarily as a trombonist, dedicating myself to expanding the musical and expressive potential of my instrument and improvisation. My inspirations have also drawn from western classical, contemporary, world, and traditional musics, as well as field recordings, visual arts, and literature.

During my time in New York, I collaborated with a wide range of groups and individuals at the forefront of jazz, experimental, and contemporary music. Alongside performing, I developed unique practice methods to explore and push the technical and expressive boundaries of my music and artistic curiosities.

In 2020, I returned to California after marrying my beloved wife, seeking a life closer to nature and my roots in a peaceful environment. Now based in Ojai, I feel it is time to give back and share all I have cultivated over the past decades.

In addition to my professional musical pursuits, I have taught music at Waldorf and Montessori schools, nurturing creativity and musicality in students. Today, I offer individual lessons and group classes at various schools and homes across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, sharing my love of music and inspiring the next generation of musicians.