"Music breaks all racial, social, and economic barriers. Music affects people in different ways but everyone gets the blues sometimes. I want people to come to my show and be able to forget any troubles they have in their lives for a few hours, and just have a good time."

Ben Levin: The Future of Blues is Alright

At only 23 years old, Ben Levin is already making his mark as a blues pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. Ben’s fascination for blues piano began when he snuck a peek at his father watching the Ray Charles biopic “Ray” at age 6. Piano lessons with world-renowned Cincinnati-based blues/boogie pianist Ricky Nye led Ben into a passion that has not let up since. Ben’s first festival appearance was for his local Cincy Blues Fest at age 13; by age 15 he was the full-time piano player in his father’s band weekend band The Heaters. At 17 Ben self-released his debut CD, Ben’s Blues, which included four original songs sprinkled in with covers of Professor Longhair, Big Maceo, John Lee Hooker, and others. Ben’s Blues was nominated for two Blues Blast Awards, best debut CD and Sean Costello “Rising Star” awards.                                               (Photo: Ben Levin)

Bluesmen Lil’ Jimmy Reed and Ben Levin are kindred spirits at opposite ends of the career spectrum with 23-year-old Levin in the sunrise of his and 85-year-old Reed in his sunset and yet they have discovered a wonderful synergy working together on material they both hold dear – “down home blues.” Their new ten-song set, Back To Baton Rouge (2023 / Nola Blue Records), pays homage to the region where Reed (born Leon Atkins in Hardwood LA) grew up and earned his moniker Lil’ Jimmy Reed as a teenager playing guitar and harmonica on the Chitlin Circuit. Album producer and collaborator, Ben Levin, started playing professionally at age 11 and now plays 100+ gigs a year, both domestic and abroad, while attending the University of Cincinnati (graduated 2023). In 2018 the Ben Levin Duo reached the semi-finals in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Levin is a two-time Blues Music Award nominee (Instrumentalist – Pinetop Perkins Piano Player) with four albums under his belt.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Blues has affected my life in many profound ways. It has connected me with my closest friends and mentors and has taken me around the world. I wouldn't be the person I am today without my love for blues and the people it has connected me with.

What characterize your music philosophy? Where does your creative drive come from?

I am primarily a traditionalist when it comes to blues, but I also like to push the envelope sometimes and create new sounds. My creative drive comes from working with my father on writing new songs, and collaborating with new musicians. My latest project with Lil' Jimmy Reed has been inspiring for me as I learn how to properly back him up and we push each other to learn new things.

Currently you’ve one more release with Lil' Jimmy Reed. How did that relationship come about?

I discovered Lil' Jimmy's music on Facebook of all places and reached out to him directly. We had plans for him to come to Cincinnati in March 2020, but with the pandemic he didn't make it here until December 2021. When he finally made it to Cincinnati, we went into the studio for a session that produced three songs, one of which "I've Been Drinking Muddy Water" became a nice hit on XM radio, which inspired us to collaborate again and produce a full album.

"Blues has affected my life in many profound ways. It has connected me with my closest friends and mentors and has taken me around the world. I wouldn't be the person I am today without my love for blues and the people it has connected me with." (Lil’ Jimmy Reed & Ben Levin / Photo by Angie Lipscomb)

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album “Back To Baton Rouge"?

Jimmy and I had a great time working in the studio together. I was pushing him to try some new songs my father and I had written, and he didn't like all of them. One of my favorite songs, "Engine Light", Jimmy really didn't like. Once we finally got the take, we needed to make the record Jimmy said to the band, "That's the weirdest song I've ever heard in my life!". The more we work together, the more we understand each other's sound and how to better work together.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I love traditional blues, which is hard to find these days. It's one reason why I love working with Lil' Jimmy. He plays straight-ahead blues with no filter the same way he has been playing it for over 50 years. I hope to see another resurgence in interest in blues with a younger audience and younger musicians to keep the music alive.

What is the impact of music on the racial and socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Music breaks all racial, social, and economic barriers. Music affects people in different ways but everyone gets the blues sometimes. I want people to come to my show and be able to forget any troubles they have in their lives for a few hours, and just have a good time.

"Everything is cyclical and tastes in music change. There is a crowd for blues, and the people who are into it love the music. This is something I think about a lot, and I do believe there is potential for more young people to become fans in the future." (Ben Levin, Cincinnati Ohio / Photo by Edward Sawicki)

What would you say characterizes Ohio blues scene in comparison to other local US scenes and circuits?

I can't speak for the whole of Ohio, but Cincinnati has it's own unique sound and history. We're the home of King Records which recorded stars in blues, country, bluegrass, funk, and more. There was a whole scene of bluesmen that carried on the tradition in this town like Albert Washington, Big Joe Duskin, Big Ed Thompson, H Bomb Ferguson, and others. Cincinnati blues has it's own sound that combines traditional blues with jazz, doo-wop, and soul. Cincinnati really is a melting pot of music.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

I've had the opportunity to meet and connect with great elders in this music who have taught me a lot. The late Philip Paul always inspired me with how he conducted himself on and off the bandstand. He epitomized the word class and no matter what was going on at his gig, he always had a cool disposition. Playing gigs and traveling can be stressful sometimes, and I take a deep breath and think back to my heroes like Philip Paul who always seemed to handle the pressure well.

Do you think there is an audience for blues music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

Everything is cyclical and tastes in music change. There is a crowd for blues, and the people who are into it love the music. This is something I think about a lot, and I do believe there is potential for more young people to become fans in the future.

Ben Levin - Home

(Ben Levin, Cincinnati Ohio / Photo by Edward Sawicki)