Ben Wendel & Taylor Eigsti
Elizaveta von Stuben/Josh-Goleman
Taylor Eigsti (left) and Ben Wendel.
Taylor Eigsti (left) and Ben Wendel.
media release: Overture Center’s “Up Close” series showcases a diverse lineup of artists from around the world in a unique, intimate setting. This musical experience transforms the Capitol Theater into a cocktail lounge and gives audiences the opportunity to sit on stage. In the first performance in the 2024/25 “Up Close” season, artists Ben Wendel and Taylor Eigsti join forces for an evening of unforgettable music on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
Ticket holders will sit on the Capitol Theater stage at small cabaret tables and may purchase beverages to enjoy during the performance. Tickets ($45) are available at overture.org.
About Taylor Eigsti
New York City-based pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti has released eight albums as a bandleader, in addition to appearing on over 60 albums as a sideman. Eigsti has garnered three individual Grammy Award nominations over the years for his work as a recording artist and composer, including Best Instrumental Composition, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo and, most recently, received a 2022 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his eighth album as a leader, released in May 2021, entitled “Tree Falls” (GSI Records). Eigsti has also been featured on several other Grammy- nominated albums, including co-writing a featured composition with Don Cheadle for the 2017 Grammy-winning soundtrack to the motion picture “Miles Ahead.”
About Ben Wendel
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel currently lives in Brooklyn and enjoys a varied career as a performer, composer, producer and conductor. Wendel has performed in multiple domestic and international tours with artists such as Ignacio Berroa, Tigran Hamasyan, Gerald Clayton, Eric Harland, Taylor Eigsti, Snoop Dogg and the late Prince. Wendel is a founding member of the Grammy-nominated group Kneebody. His 2023 record, “All One,” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category.
Celebrating 20 years in Madison, Wis., OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and five galleries where national and international touring artists, nine resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in nearly 700,000 educational and artistic experiences each year. Overture’s mission is to support and elevate our community’s creative culture, economy and quality of life through the arts. overture.org