Ben Haugland

Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Ben Haugland is an award-winning performer, composer, and educator whose career reflects a distinguished record of achievement in performance, composition, and scholarship. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and has been recognized with nine DownBeat Student Music Awards, including individual awards for “Best Instrumental Jazz Soloist” and “Best Original Song.” While pursuing his master’s degree at the University of North Texas, he performed and toured with the world-renowned UNT One O’Clock Lab Band, appearing as a featured soloist on Lab 2009, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.” 

As a recording artist, Haugland has released several critically acclaimed albums that showcase both his original compositions and inventive arrangements of jazz standards. His debut album, Point of No Return (2012), featuring saxophonist Dick Oatts and Grammy-winning bassist Jay Anderson, received national radio airplay through Dazzle Recordings. His second release, A Million Dreams (2015), with Scott Wendholt (Village Vanguard Orchestra) and Jay Anderson, remained on the JazzWeek national radio charts for 21 consecutive weeks, peaking at No. 64. The album earned high praise from All About Jazz critic David Orthmann, who described it as “a confluence of excellent original compositions, empathetic ensemble playing and group interplay, as well as memorable solo statements. Highly recommended. 4.5/5 stars.” Similarly, Tom Haugen of Take Effect wrote, “The five originals included carry many melodic sensibilities, and the interpretations are full of complicated but easily accessible interaction that will captivate jazz fans from any era.” 

His most recent release, Road to Nowhere (2023, Origin/OA2 Records), continues this trajectory of success, receiving national recognition from multiple jazz publications and being selected by WDET-Detroit’s Ed Love as one of his “Highly Recommended New CDs for 2023.” Like his earlier work, the album highlights his distinctive compositional voice and collaborations with esteemed jazz artists. 

Beyond performance, Haugland is also a noted scholar and educator. His book, The Mulgrew Miller Collection (Jamey Aebersold Jazz, 2018), provides a comprehensive stylistic analysis of the legendary pianist and has become a widely used resource in jazz education. His work as a composer extends to large ensemble writing, with his big band arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice” published by UNC Jazz Press and recorded by the UNC Lab I Band. 

Throughout his career, Haugland has performed with a distinguished roster of artists, including Randy Brecker, Terell Stafford, Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Bob Mintzer, Steve Davis, Curtis Fuller, Jeff Hamilton, and Adonis Rose, among many others. His dual commitment to performance and pedagogy continues to shape the next generation of jazz musicians, securing his place as a significant voice in contemporary jazz.