Montreal-based percussionist Ben Reimer has been called a “genre-bending wiz” (PuSh) and a performer of “stunning virtuosity” (Ludwig-Van Mtl). His collaborations with composers such as Nicole Lizée, Eliot Britton, Vincent Ho and Lukas Ligeti have resulted in a unique collection of solos, chamber works and concertos featuring the drumset. His debut album Katana of Choice: Music for Drumset Soloist (Redshift Records) is described as “an exhilarating musical ride” (Wholenote) and “a modern classic” (I Care If You Listen). Ben can be heard on other recordings such as The Privacy of Domestic Life by Architek Percussion (Centredisc), Bookburners and This Will Not Be Televised by Nicole Lizée (Centredisc), A Menacing Plume by Rand Steiger (New World Records) and Kicking It 2.0 by Land’s End Ensemble (Centredisc).
Ben has been a guest soloist in the CBC JUNO Showcase, the Bang On A Can Marathon, Roulette Concert Series NYC, the Winnipeg International New Music Festival, Edmonton New Music, Calgary New Music, GroundSwell, Cluster New Music + Integrated Arts Festival, Music on Main, PuSh Festival, Innovations En Concert, Luminato Festival, Tapestry Opera and Open Ears Festival.
Ben is a contributing author for the Cambridge Companion to the Drum Kit (Cambridge University Press) and holds a Doctor of Music from McGill University where he currently teaches percussion. He is a member of Architek Percussion Quartet and Park Sounds duo (with violist Jennifer Thiessen) and is a Sabian Cymbals, Yamaha Canada and Vic Firth artist.
