It's me and the electric piano :) ...though keep an ear out for Chunk of Funk - 5 piece funk madness!
For the records - What Drives You is performed with Chunk of Funk (see about the tracks for details) ...and the rest of the tracks are just me! Composed, arranged, played, recorded, sequenced, mixed, produced... and to some degree mastered by Ben Willmott.
Influences
Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, James Brown (and those funky funky JBs), Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Kool and the Gang, The Yellowjackets, Weather Report, Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Al Green, Miles Davis, Tania Maria, Bill Withers, Francis 'Rocco' Prestia, Jimmy Smith, Dr John, Chick Corea, Crowded House, Jim Croce, Curtis Mayfield, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Motown, Bob Marley (and that fab sound the Wailers made) ... the list could go on and on and on.
Who is Ben Willmott..? known by some as 'the Hat'...
Singer, songwriter, versatile keyboardist (though mostly found playing in the funk jazz groove.. with the occasional healthy shot of latin vibe)... and equally at home on the bass guitar, you will also find me out and about in Southampton strutting my stuff! Say hello! :) ..I'm always looking to collaborate.
Keep an ear out also for Chunk of Funk - a 5 piece funk outfit featuring Simon B on drums, Mike and Kath on saxes, the sensational Mr DQD on guitar, all on backing vocals and myself on lead vocals and bass. We don't just want it to be us that have fun, we want everyone to have fun!!!
Recently I have also joined disco funk outfit Headrush, an 8 piece powerhouse of dancefloor filling proportions.
You can check out past work at my ageing website at benwillmott.com but the most recent tunes are here. The website is being redesigned over the coming weeks."
about the tracks
What Drives You is performed with Chunk of Funk - Simon Burvill on drums, Dave Davidson on guitar, Mike Porter on alto and Kath Waterfield on tenor.
Questions was written as an anti-war protest as an angry young man after Bush II first invaded Iraq. It has since become far and away the most downloaded thing on my site!
Two Weeks is taken from my most recent work and as yet incomplete album.
Boogie Beat is another project of mine featuring my alter ego, the delightfully filthy Mr Size along with his fictional band Dirty Sounds.
November Funk is the most recent track - a bit of late night finger burning... and more representative of current funky stylings.
Oh, I read your comment after your inbox message! haha, it's not funktion at the moment, maybe a later date though. Got a mini tour coming up with Lee Broderick and was just trying to extend it... I sent u the link :)
A quick question also... I'm coming down south again with the band at the end of the month - do you know of any venues in Soton that might be willing to give us a support slot?
i think there was a jazz connection, but I can't remember what it was now!! you're based in Southampton aren't you? I know quite a few guys down that way...
Hi there Friend, Hope all is good with you.
Just a little note to say:
Please check out my new look MySpace Page... ....For details of my 45 date tour this summer/autumn across the UK, Europe & the US... ... to promote my forthcoming album 'THE DEVOURED MAN.
Thanks for your support.
Big P&L Ola
Thanks for your kind comment, anytime you are playing in Yorkshire and you need a roadie.. Mixing the sound is dead easy, lots of vocals and bass!
Great little set by the way, at least you had a captive audience!:)
Yes, good to meet you in Yorkshire on Saturday and hear some of your romantic mellow set - just the thing for an upbeat wedding :-). The American Ben Willmott did come up first on the search but you were next, and you look just like the picture so that helps. I enjoyed the Willmott family wedding, though it was a real gathering of the clans
It's going to be great! Make sure you bring your golf clubs then! Ooh, I have a an electric guitar now, can't tune it though which is a slight problem!! Oh I remember how drunk you were, Hollie and I were trying to get you off the floor towards the end and dance...but you wouldn't. hehe! Bet you felt good in the morning. Charlie xxx
Yes it's meeee! :) I'm great thank you, how are you? Hope you're doing fabulously? Looking forward to Chunk of Funk on Sat night as well!!!! x charlie x
