Ben Sidran

Ben Sidran, (1943- ) may be best-known for having written the Steve Miller hit song "Space Cowboy." The composer is also a jazz keyboardist of wide renown (both on piano and Hammond B-3 organ), as well as a record producer and writer, among his many pursuits.

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Born in Chicago and reared in Racine, Wisconsin, Sidran was earning money as a pianist at fraternity parties in Madison, Wisconsin, even before he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1961. There he became a member of band the Ardells, along with Miller and Boz Scaggs.

Related Topics:
Racine, Wisconsin - Madison, Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin-Madison - Boz Scaggs

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When Miller and Scaggs left Wisconsin for the West Coast and stardom, Sidran stayed behind to earn a degree in English literature. After his 1966 graduation, he proceeded to the University of Sussex, England, to pursue a master's degree in American Studies.

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Sidran rejoined Miller in an English recording studio the next year, playing on the album "Children of the Future." While in England, he was a session musician for artists that included Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones.

Related Topics:
Eric Clapton - Rolling Stones

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After a brief stint as a recording artist (teamed with Skaggs and drummer Jim Keltner) and record producer in Los Angeles, Sidran returned to Madison in 1970 and has kept the university town as a home-base ever since, teaming with such Madison-based talents as drummer Clyde Stubblefield and keyboardist-composer Leo Sidran, who is also Ben's son.

Related Topics:
Jim Keltner - Clyde Stubblefield - Leo Sidran

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Sidran's recordings include "Concert for Garcia Lorca," "Life's a Lesson," ?Get to the Point,??Old Songs for the New Depression,? ?Bop City,? ?On the Cool Side,? ?Have You Met ? Barcelona,? ?Too Hot to Touch,? "Free in America,? ?The Doctor is In,? ?A Little Kiss in the Night,? ?Live at Montreaux,? ?The Cat in the Hat,? "I Lead a Life," "Puttin' In Time," "Planet Earth," and "Don't Let Go." Both as a muscian and a producer he has collaborated with artists that include Mose Allison, Van Morrison, David Sanborn, and Rickie Lee Jones. His written works include the book "Black Talk."

Related Topics:
Mose Allison - Van Morrison - David Sanborn - Rickie Lee Jones

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