After relocating to Portland, Ben Haynor has been making a name for himself in the local music scene.  Currently he has been performing with Swingin’ Amiss, guitarist Dennis Hitchcox, and most recently with the rock band Rich Man’s Burden.  While offering an original sound Ben listens to and borrows from such greats as John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, and any other great music he can get his hands on.  As a child Ben grew up in a very musical household.  

His father Jim Haynor, a well known classical trumpet player, played with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Company, the Florentine Opera Company, Melody Top Theater, and with many of the biggest names in the business.  He currently plays as a freelance trumpeter in the Milwaukee and Chicago area. 

Ben began his guitar experience by reading and transcribing songs by the Grateful Dead, Mark Knopfler, and the Allman Brothers, to name a few.  Taking lessons all throughout High School prepared Ben to begin studying jazz guitar at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1998 with the great Tom McComb.  There he was a recipient of the John Radd Jazz Scholarship two years in a row, and was an original member in the modern jazz group, Nostalgia.  After finishing school in 2002 Ben moved from Milwaukee to Portland to pursue a playing and teaching career.  While playing in a number of groups he has finished a Masters of Education degree at Portland State University.  Ben is constantly recording in his different groups and can be found playing around the Portland area at restaurants, wineries, bars, festivals, parties, and markets.

Look for him playing with:

Dennis Hitchcox:
www.thehduo.com
www.dennishitchcox.com

Rich Man’s Burden:
www.myspace.com/richmansburden