Benjamin Verdery

Guitarist & Composer

Hailed for his innovative and eclectic musical career, Benjamin Verdery has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, performing at major venues and festivals. As a recording artist, Verdery has released more than 17 albums, some featuring works by leading composers of our time who have created music for Verdery, including composers Martin Bresnick, David Leisner, Frederic Hand, Elizabeth Brown, Dan Asia, Van Stiefel, Roberto Sierra, Aaron Jay Kernis, Hannah Lash, Christopher Theofanidis, Ezra Laderman, Bryce Dessner, Jack Vees, Thomas Flippin and Ingram Marshall.

He has also created and released several exquisitely filmed videos in collaboration with other artists. Verdery has recorded and/or performed with such diverse artists as Andy Summers, William Coulter, Simon Powis, Leo Kottke, Anthony Newman, Jessye Norman, Wayne Escoffery, James Taylor (tenor), Ettore Causa, Paco Peña, Hermann Prey, John Williams, Hip-Hop artist Billy Dean Thomas, beat box/vocal percussionist Marc Martin, JIJI, Nano Stern and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

A prolific, published composer in his own right, many of Verdery’s compositions have been performed, recorded, and published over the years. Several of today’s most renowned guitarists have recorded and performed his works including John Williams, David Russell, the Assad Duo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and Guitar Trek.

In 2023, Ben released A Giant Beside You for ReEntrant/New Focus Records with Ulysses Quartet. Per kathodik webzine: “An exciting sonic journey, masterfully led by Verdery.” They perform Byrce Dessner’s compelling composition Quintet for High Strings, Leonard Bernstein’s Clarinet Sonata, arranged for string quartet and guitar by Verdery, Javier Farias’ Andean Suite, and inventive works by Ben Verdery, About to Fall, and A Giant Beside You.

He has been commissioned to compose works for guitar solo, duo, large ensembles, and film. His Scenes from Ellis Island, for guitar orchestra, has been extensively broadcast and performed at festivals and universities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe. Benjamin Verdery was the guitar professor at the Yale School of Music from 1985-2025. He was awarded The Sanford Medal for Distinguished Service to Music, The Yale School of Music’s most prestigious award in 2025.

From 2007-2019 he served as Artistic Director of 92nd Street Y’s Art of the Guitar series and as Producer of his Maui Summer Master Class from 1999-2023.

Benjamin Verdery uses D'Addario strings and guitars by Garrett Lee and Otto Vowinkel.

Press

“an iconoclastic player…”
NY Times

“Verdery plays with the kind of infectious, childlike joy that lights up the whole stage…”
Artsfile, Ottawa, Canada

“The music of guitarist and composer Ben Verdery ducks playfully back and forth between serious contemporary strains and pop-tinged vigor, welcoming everything in with the graciousness of a kindhearted host.”
San Francisco Chronicle

“Verdery's virtuosity helps distinguish the five performances, which makes for a consistently engrossing recording, regardless of whether he appears alone or with guests….As much of a show-stopper as Scenes from Ellis Island certifiably is, it's hardly the only high point on the release and neither is it the only piece that recommends it.”
Textura.org

”It is work that evokes both musical and extra-musical associations and does so with a sense of eclectic encompass.”
Gapplegate Classical-Modern Review

“Benjamin Verdery enchants the audience between Bach and Mozart”
L’Arena, Verona, Italy

“Playing and Composing Outside The Box”
Classical Guitar Magazine