YouBlues Jazz Piano

Hi there, my name is Ben Watkins and I love playing jazz piano! I'm not interested in being rich or famous, I just want to share jazz music and cheer people up.

I am happy to play background jazz tunes at weddings or parties. I also write custom blues & jazz songs for birthdays or anniversaries. (You can see a couple samples on my "Videos" tab on this website.)

I took classical piano lessons from age 5, and began jazz piano lessons at age 16, studying with the legend Dr. Larry Smith at Utah State. Growing up, I was part of a family band called "Pops," and we traveled around northern Utah and southern Idaho playing for dances.

I've enjoyed playing in jazz bands and combos including USU Jazz Orchestra, USU Jazz Ensemble, The Koecher Quartet, and most recently The Skyline Trio with bassist Rich Hansen and drummer Mike Burnham (both in photos and videos on this website).

I'm a school teacher in northern Utah, and YouBlues Jazz Piano is a little business on the side, but mainly a way I can share the great jazz standards that have endured over the decades.