Tuesdays on the Terrace Ben LaMar Gay

About the Artist

Ben LaMar Gay is a composer and cornetist who moves components of sound, color, and space through folkloric filters to produce brilliant electro‐acoustic collages. The layering and mingling of various styles feeds and plays with a larger musical narrative. The Chicago native’s true technique is giving life to an idea while exploring and expanding on the term “Americana.” Actively participating in the vibrant experimental music scene of Chicago, including a three-year residency in Brazil, allows him to collaborate with influential figures in the world of music. Ben received his BA in music education from Northeastern Illinois University. He has shared information as a music instructor in the Chicago Public School system, guest lectured at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and was a facilitator for six years with the Chicago Park District’s Inferno Mobile Recording Studio. The latter helped set the tone for a staple philosophy fueling his musicianship. A fundamental component of this approach is exploring the lineage of an idea passed from one generation to another. He aims for his work to have the same functionality as most folktales, which is to create variations on timeless themes to help people make sense of their existence and place in the world.