The harmonic structures used by American jazz musicians are remarkably similar to those used by 20th century American architects. Both helped create a new sense of the future that was born in the 1920’s and flourished in the 1960’s, sending an aesthetic message to the world and ushering in a new era of style, cool, and transformation. From Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis, Frank Lloyd Wright to William Krisel, how these two parallel 20th-century modernist movements, jazz and architecture, reshaped cultural landscapes by rethinking form, function, and the relationship between tradition and innovation. 

Over 55 years and 40 albums, including the Grammy nominated Concert for Garcia Lorca, Ben Sidran’s live repertoire has been a fluid collection of songs and stories. His performances are legendary for their mixture of swing, groove, and free-form philosophy, always infused with humor and hipster wisdom. 

The jazz life was a profound experience because it was unique to a time and a place. The time being mid-twentieth century, the place being the American road. — Ben Sidran  

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the concert starting promptly at 6:30 PM. Seating is first come, first served.

Ben Sidran: piano, voice
Leo Sidran: drums, voice 
John Christensen: bass 

 
In his 60-year career, Ben Sidran’s love of music has led him to be a pianist, a singer-songwriter, an author, a record producer and a music journalist among other things. He has been his own short-order cook, juggling his own career and projects. He has produced artists as Steve Miller, Mose Allison, Diana Ross, Boz Scaggs, Phil Upchurch, Tony Williams, Jon Hendricks, Richie Cole and Van Morrison. His most recent solo album (his 37th!) was recorded live in France in 2024 and features a collection of original songs that channel the complex world of today through his “hipster” filter and demonstrating why he is indeed the “first ever existential jazz rapper”.  

Leo Sidran is a Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist musician, producer, arranger, composer, recording artist, and journalist. After playing professionally as a teen-ager with the Steve Miller Band he established himself as a versatile artist at ease as band-leader (with eight solo albums in his discography) as he is producing other musicians around the world (in 2005 he co-produced the Academy Award Winning song, "Al otro lado del rio" from the film The Motorcycle Diaries for Jorge Drexler), composing film scores and music for media. 

About Taliesin Preservation

VISION
Taliesin is acknowledged as the embodiment of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright's commitment to the creation of exceptional environments that harmonize architecture, art, culture, and the land.

MISSION
As stewards, Taliesin Preservation's mission is to preserve the cultural, built, and natural environments that comprise the Taliesin property and to conduct public educational and cultural programming that provides a greater understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and ideas

Photo Waiver 

Photography, videography, and audio recording are not allowed during the program. Photography and short-form videos up to 30 seconds, without archival footage and for personal use only, are allowed before and after the program. Equipment, such as tripods and selfie sticks, is not permitted. No other reproductions may be created for commercial use in any way without the express, written consent of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. 
 
While on the property, you may be photographed or videotaped for use by Taliesin Preservation or the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. By purchasing a ticket to this event, you agree that Taliesin Preservation has full permission to use your photograph, or likeness, for any promotional purposes that they deem appropriate. These purposes may be for internal or external use and may include collateral materials, newsletters, advertising, marketing, publicity, or other uses