Ben Sollee

Where many acoustic folkies might use a guitar, Ben Sollee uses a cello. The classically trained musician applies a strong singing voice and percussive cello technique to his occasionally bluesy folk. Sollee began his professional career in 2005, performing alongside Bela Fleck in the Sparrow Quartet. He released his first solo recording, the EP If You’re Gonna Lead My Country, in 2008. Sollee collaborated with My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James on 2010’s Dear Companion, and he also played on MMJ’s latest, Circuital. On his latest solo release, Inclusions, Sollee broadens his genre experimentation, mixing bluegrass and jazz sounds in with the folk. Not unlike Paul Simon with a cello, Sollee brings warm, lyrical wit and grace to each tune he plays, which he displays deftly on his new live album, Live At The Grocery On Home.

Updated 05/16/2012