About
Inspired by a lifelong exposure to different religions, cultures, and people, Ben Crino, a Chicago-based Jazz guitarist, seeks to find a unifying earthy tone and melodic approach that can only be described as aggressively human. Ben is a co-leader of the Elisha Organ Trio, which has an upcoming full-length album produced by legendary Jazz guitarist Bobby Broom and mixed by Paul Mutzabaugh. Ben has played on numerous other albums, including Odd Family by Minor Element and Along the Way by Liz Townsend, as well as full-length concerts with hip hop/R&B vocalist Jessica Ivey and rap artist Allah and Jazz Vocalist Faith Quashie. Ben is a Jazz educator and Michigan native, and graduated with his Master of Fine Arts in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University, where he studied with Bobby Broom in spring 2024. He currently lives near Avondale in Chicago.
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Ben has been seen at many venues through the midwest, including but not limited to Andy's Jazz Club (September 2024 Residency), The Jazz Showcase, The Lemon, Fulton Street Collective, The Hungry Brain, The California Clipper, Clara, The Whistler, Rojo Gusano, Cliff Bells, Bells Eccentric Cafe, The Phog Lounge, The Cricket Club and more.
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Ben has also been seen at many Jazz festivals including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Michigan Jazz Festival, East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Old Town Jazz Festival, The Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Juneteenth Festivals, Third Coast Music fest, the Gilmore Piano Festival and the Burlington Iowa Jazz Festival.
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Ben also has worked on the touring Broadway Musical “Tina Turner - The Broadway Musical” and toured through Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Boise, Idaho.
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Ben has played Chicago Jazz staples such as Marcus Evans, Bobby Broom, Isaiah Spencer, John Tate, Isaiah Jones Jr., Gabriel Wade and Ryan Bills.
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Ben credits most of his musical growth to Bobby Broom, Andrew Renfroe, Olin Clark and Matt Landon.
Music
Elisha’s newest EP entitled “As an Organ Trio”, with Ben Crino on guitar, Sid Smith IV on drums and Isaiah Jones Jr. on organ, is the precursor to the group’s full length record. Produced by legendary Jazz guitarist Bobby Broom, this record will reimagine seven standards from the Jazz repertoire with elements of gospel, groove and hip hop, while still allowing an approach from the Jazz lineage to drive the setting. It will also feature an original from Isaiah Jones Jr. titled with the mantra “That is Where I’ll Be”.
