Ben Solee with Kim Taylor November 14, 2008

It was the cat-poles around the lake at his grandfathers farm that inspired Ben Sollees debut album Learning To Bend. The frailty of those awkward looking plants standing stoutly against winds that challenged even the strongest of nearby trees is an affecting metaphor for human struggle and perseverance. This idea is central to Learning Ben has found considerable success in recent years through his ability to bend. In 2007, he was named one of NPRs Top Ten Unknown Artists of the Year. His distinctive cello technique and soulful voice have been marinating for years in his work with avant-garde bluesman Otis Taylor, The Sparrow Quartet, (featuring banjo-master Bla Fleck), and on the internationally known Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.

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