"Ben Sutin's recording Mr. Inevitable is exceptional. His compositions and playing are sophisticated and exciting. Congratulations.”
–Regina Carter, Violinist, NEA Jazz Master and MacArthur Fellow
“Ben Sutin’s new album Mr. Inevitable is a brilliant showcase of his artistry not only as a world-class jazz violinist, but also as a composer with a powerful voice all his own. Bravo!!!”
–Sara Caswell, Grammy-Nominated Jazz Violinist
“Ben is totally blazing and has come into his own voice fully. I hear the unmistakable influence of the great John Blake Jr. in Ben’s playing in a way that I have not heard from any other violinist.”
–Christian Howes, Award Winning Jazz Violinist, Educator
“…reminiscent of the great Jean-Luc Ponty and Zbigniew Siefert!” - Sam Bardfeld (Jazz Violinist)
“Sutin’s playing never seeks theatrical effect. Instead, he allows the instrument to sing with remarkable restraint. His lines often appear suspended between longing and serenity, carrying emotional weight without descending into sentimentality.” - Thierry De Clemensat (Paris-Move)
“Remnants of the styles of John Blake Jr. (his beloved teacher), Stuff Smith, Jean-Luc Ponty, Papa John Creach and Don “Sugarcane” Harris blaze in his creative, uplifting work.” —Frank-John Hadley (Downbeat Magazine)
“Violinist Ben Sutin bridges the link between the gypsy feel of Stephane Grappelli with modern post bop ideas…” - George W. Harris (Jazz Weekly)
“Violinist Ben Sutin bring(s) fearless jazz adventurousness to an individualistic, darkly electric sound that draws equally on classic klezmer, Balkan and Middle Eastern sounds.” - New York Music Daily
“Mr. Inevitable is a collection of compositions expressing the peaks and valleys of life through music.
Each song represents an emotional theme depicting various tropes of the universal human experience.
They are written and performed through the lens of my own personal perspectives and the collective interpretations of the musicians on the album.
Each song is inspired by a collage of the wide array of musical influences ─ music from Latin America, Klezmer, rock ‘n’ roll, and more ─ and cultural roots that have made my musical voice what it is today, all through the lens of the jazz idiom.”
Motivated by a diverse musical palate and burning passion to connect with people of all creeds through his music, Benjamin Sutin has been residing in New York City for fifteen years where he has made a mark as an eclectic, diverse and sought after violinist, composer and educator in a host of musical genres including jazz, latin jazz, rock and klezmer, all of which has inspired his own original music.
With four albums under his name as a band leader Sutin has performed to sold out crowds in venues such as the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, The City Winery, Cornelia Street Cafe, and World Cafe Live and has received rave reviews from the likes of Downbeat, been featured on NPR Live Sessions and been recognized by the International Songwriter's Competition.
Benjamin graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 2015 with a B.M. in Jazz Violin Performance where he studied privately with jazz violinist, Sara Caswell. He now is on faculty at Manhattan School of Music teaching jazz violin and theory, improvisation and jazz combos in their Pre-College program.
In August 2022 Sutin won 3rd prize in the 5th edition of the Zbigniew Seifert International Jazz Violin Competition.
Benjamin graduated in May, 2024 with a M.M. in Multi-Style Strings Performance at New Jersey City University, studying with the likes of Jeremy Kittle, Joe Deninzon, Dave Eggar, Martha Mooke, Regina Carter, John Benitez, Gary Dial and Jeff “Tain” Watts.
Discography
As a Band Leader
Mr. Inevitable
Hard Bop Hanukkah
Meshugenah
Tangibility
