Ben Phan and the Soul Symphony will celebrate the release of their new CD with 9 p.m. show at Isis Music Hall in West Asheville.
Check out this Soundcheck AVL at Salvage Station video highlight of Ben Phan performing one of his new tunes. Here’s a snippet from an Ashvegas story profiling Phan and his push to make the new record:
Phan has been building toward the move for awhile now, he says. Working part-time jobs and creating a solid client base for his guitar lesson offerings, Phan “got to the point where I couldn’t the next steps in my music until I fully devoted my time to it.”
Since then, Phan says he’s been practicing more while writing “simple, poignant songs with interesting arrangements.” A fan of improvisation, he says he’s seeking that balance between form and freedom. Every song that will appear on the new album, which Phan will play Sunday, was inspired by his leap of faith, he says.
A talented crew of fellow musicians will be joining Phan on stage as part of his “soul symphony.” Fiddler Molly Barret is a former winner of the prestigious Fiddler’s Grove Competition; drummer Mattick Frick is “a rhythmic and improvisational genius who has toured all over the world,” Phan says; Ryan Kijanka is accomplished and versatile on the upright bass; and Franklin Keel on cello is a “true prodigy,” Phan says.