Far and Distant Things is British keyboardist
and composer Benjamin Croft’s second album
release following the critically acclaimed “10
Reasons To…”. It features guest stars Randy
Brecker and Allen Vizzutti (trumpet), Frank
Gambale, Barry Finnerty, Mike Miller (guitar),
and Chad Wackerman (drums).
Joining them are Benjamin’s favourite
musicians based in the UK: Andy Davies
(trumpet), Gareth Lockrane (flute), Henry
Thomas and Flo Moore (bass), Tristan Mailliot
and Laurie Lowe (drums) as well as Helen
Vollam, principal trombone of the BBC
Symphony Orchestra and guitarist Carter
Arrington.

Three of the eleven original compositions have been released ahead of the album –
‘Far and Distant Things’, a metaphysical look at the past and future and the inner
journey of the mind, ‘S&R Video’, a track inspired by Benjamin’s favourite video rental
store and ‘Brock’, which portrays a mysterious character similar in manner to Mr
Hyde but neither good or bad.

“I am immensely proud of this album. A true portrait of my musical mind. My love of
jazz, rock and classical are all captured,” says Benjamin. “The eleven compositions
on this album represent my childhood dreams and fantasies. Utopian and dystopian,
heroes and villains – all are depicted. Concepts I regarded as far and distant things.”

TRACK LISTING

1. Overture – feat. Allen Vizzutti

2. Far And Distant Things – feat. Frank Gambale

3. Brock

4. S.A.D. (Spatial Awareness Disease) – feat. Allen Vizzutti

5. Tudor Job Agency – feat. Barry Finnerty
 

6. S&R Video – feat. Randy Brecker

7. The War Against Loudness – feat. Mike Miller

8. How Not To Win The Nobel Peace Prize

9. Thank You, That’s What I Wanted To Know… (Dedicated to the memory of Peter
Miles)

10. St Gandalf’s – feat. Chad Wackerman

11. The Cashectomy

ALBUM CREDITS:
Written and arranged by Benjamin Croft.
Produced by Benjamin Croft, assistant producer Henry Thomas
Benjamin Croft – Arp Odyssey, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B3/C3 organs,
Minimoog Model D, Oberheim OB-X, OB-Xa, OB-8 and Xpander, Prophet 5, Roland Jupiter
4 and 8, Yamaha CS-80., grand pianos by Fazioli, Steinway and Yamaha,
Randy Brecker – trumpet, Allen Vizzutti – trumpet, Andy Davies – trumpet, flugelhorn,
Helen Vollam – trombone, Gareth Lockrane – flutes, Frank Gambale – guitar, Barry
Finnerty – guitar, Mike Miller – guitar, Carter Arrington – guitar, Chad Wackerman – drums,
Tristan Mailliot- drums, Laurie Lowe – drums, Flo Moore – bass, Henry Thomas – bass

Benjamin Croft began piano and trumpet lessons at
the age of seven, later going on to study at Leeds
College of Music. After graduating he completed
several contracts on international cruise lines and
moved to the US. During this period he toured the
world twice and worked with artists as diverse as
Belinda Carlisle, Leslie Garrett, The Temptations and the Platters. Benjamin relocated
to London in 2012, where he became a regular performer at Ronnie Scott’s, Jazz Cafe,
Soho’s Pizza Express Jazz Club, The Pheasantry among others. He has also
performed in the West End Show ‘Straight From the Heart’ and on TV shows such as
‘The Voice’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. He worked as a session musician, composer and
arranger on several projects over the years. In 2018, he recorded on Beautiful South
founder Dave Hemingway’s latest project ’Sunbirds’.
In March 2019, Benjamin released his first album ‘10 Reasons To…’ on 33Jazz
Records. 12 original compositions reflecting his unique style and sound; an
audacious crossover between genres that seduced the press, and the public
His second album, “Far and Distant Things”, was recorded throughout 2020. An
ambitious project featuring legendary guest musicians.

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