Ben Becze
Benjamin Becze, trumpet, a native of the area, currently calls Beaver, Pennsylvania, home with his beautiful wife Elisa and their two pet Whippets, named Ella and Porter, after Ella Fitzgerald and Cole Porter.
He attended Geneva College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. A tuba player as well as a trumpeter, his teachers include Len Cersosimo and Don Kephart.
Ben has performed with the Steel City Brass Ensemble as a founding member, Brass Quintopia, Abbey Brass, Keystone Brass, Burke’s Bavarian Brass, Beaver County Wind Ensemble, Monaca Coronet Band, International Show Bands of America 1995 Summer European Tour
He has also worked with Steve Hawk, Eric Sider and John Roplogle.
An unabashed Maynard Ferguson fan, Ben saw the legendary trumpeter and bandleader 36 times before his passing and owns more than 80 vinyl records that span his 50-year career.
Ben is currently the Director of Academic Fundraising at Geneva College, is an elected elder at Vanport Presbyterian Church and is a Certified Sandler Sales professional.
ON WEARING TIGHTS: “I performed in an opera in college, entitled “Cinderella Abridged” where I played the part of the town herald. The part was a semi vocal lead, and yes, I wore tights. Photos have been rumored to exist, but I am currently unable to verify the truth of these rumors.”
He plays on a Holton ST 207S Maynard Ferguson trumpet, a Yamaha YFH631 flugelhorn, as well as a Cerveny CBB 783-4RX ¾ size tuba. He uses Bob Reeves mouthpieces exclusively and PDQ valve oil on all his instruments. Ben is an original member of the Trinity family.
