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Kids On The Move: Ben Cruz
08/22/2009 - By Chad A. Safran
Ben Cruz
TALENTED FRESHMEN ROCKS THE GUITAR
If anyone says they can’t learn anything from dummies they have not yet spoken to Ben Cruz. The Holmdel High School freshman taught himself to play guitar over a 6-month period by using the book “Guitar for Dummies.” Since he began playing in January 2007 he has not looked back. In just a few short years Ben has moved from novice to accomplished guitar player. Earlier in 2009, as an eighth grader at W. R. Satz School, Ben was part of the musical accompaniment for the Holmdel High School production of Grease. He has also won the best soloist award at the Millstone Jazz Festival, and was a member of the New Jersey Region II Jazz Ensemble. He is currently one of three freshmen who are part of the high school’s jazz band, which includes both upper and lower classmen.
This past summer, Ben was able to improve his skills even more when he spent a week at the Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute. Ben was one of 50 students accepted from the tri-state area through an audition process. Ben played in two bands at the Institute, attended daily masters’ classes taught by Rutgers professors, and participated in listening sessions. “It was a great camp. I learned a lot from listening to what the teachers had to say and from hearing other people play,” stated Ben, who has also been playing the piano for 5 years. “There were kids who I had never met before who were mind blowing with what they did. Playing a lot helped too.”
Ben’s guitar playing goes beyond school. He is a member of Definite No, a Rock and Roll band that was formed after his friend and band drummer, Joe Duncan, and guitarist, Billy Rath, got the idea during the summer of sixth grade. The six-piece group has written a few of its own songs but generally stick to rock classics, such as songs from Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, and Jimi Hendrix. After performing at a few gigs this past summer, the group is scheduled to perform this September at the St. Benedict’s Fair in Holmdel and at the ALS Benefit in Sea Bright. Along with Joe, Billy, and Ben, Definite No includes keyboard player Mikey Stanziale, bassist Eddie Davis, and lead singer Mitch Chan. The band also has its own YouTube channel and pages on both Facebook® and MySpace®. Ben gets a big thrill out of performing for a crowd. “I like playing in front of my friends. It’s a rush being on stage. When I played the talent show, we had this big stage and I ran all over the place,” he said.
It’s not all about the music for Ben. He is also an honor student who likes to be funny and laid back, but still take his school work seriously. He also enjoys spending time with his friends and playing basketball in his driveway, and as a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan’s Youth Group, he went on mission trip to the Adirondacks to help those less fortunate. The group helped repair and paint houses. “It’s really good community service,” Ben shared.
Family is a large part of Ben’s life as well. His immediate family includes his father, Jeff, who also plays guitar and [used to play] piano, his mother, Lisa, who was once an Alvin Ailey dancer, and his two younger sisters, Ariel and Sara. “We have these huge family parties. Ben says, “We try to get as many family parties as possible. It’s good to be with your family…it’s important.” He is really excited that he will be having his own party when he turns 14 on September 16. Ben spends upwards of 15 hours a week practicing his music, and he would some day like to add the saxophone to his repertoire of musical instruments. For now, he will continue honing his guitar and piano skills and furthering his love of music. “It’s a way to express myself. It’s fun.”
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Julia's Restaurant, Atlantic Highlands
FAVORITE MUSICIANS
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimmy Page
FAVORITE MOVIE
Zoolander
PET PEEVE
people who complain about things that are not that important
THREE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
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