Instrument/s: Keyboards
Music Influences:
Musical Aspirations:
Other Instruments: Guitar
Website: wixsite.com/bengilgen

Biography:

• Born and raised in Hamilton New Zealand.
• 1970 Learned classical piano to the level of Grade 8​
• Completed High School in 1979 with U.E in 5 subjects​
• 1980 – present, self employed as a professional musician​
• 1996 Attained a Diploma in Maori Health with Te Whare Wānanga O Awanuiarangi
• 2022 Awarded the Variety Artists Club Of New Zealand Top Musician Award
• 2022 Completed Intermediate First Aid course​
• 2023 Attained Certificate Level 5 in Adult Education Te Wānanga O Aotearoa​
• 2010 Taught music at JMC Academy, Brisbane​
• 2018-2019 Music assistant at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia​
• 2021- present  Teaching music at Fairfield College​
• 2023 – present Teaching music at Fraser High School
• 2024 – present Teaching music at Hamilton Boys High School

​Music Biography:

• 1980  Toured Asia in a Showband​
• 1981  Joined NZ funk band Ardijah
• 1981  Moved to Sydney and joined a band​
• 1982  Joined Willy Hona band in Auckland
• 1983  Played in band Bronze Spirit​
• 1986  Joined the Billy T James band​
• 1988  Joined the Peter Morgan band​
• 1989  NZ Jazz Album Of the Year as a member of The Powerband​
• 1990  Performed in band with Chris Thompson for Commonwealth opening and closing ceremonies​
• 1990 – 1992  Lived and entertained on Hamilton Island, North Queensland
• 1993   NZ Jazz Album Of The Year as a member of Freebase
• 1995 – 2000  Performed in orchestra at The Domain Christmas In The Park
• 1997 Toured with Randy Crawford as a member of the Roger Fox band​
• 1998 – 2018  Musical Director for Sir John Rowles in NZ and Australia
• 1999   Recorded in the choral group with Dame Kiri Tekanawa
• 1999   Recorded Love So Right and Silly Love Songs with Ardijah
• 2002   Musical Director in Australia for various shows and bands
• 2012   Toured Australia as a member of The Stan Walker Band
• 2014   Based in Florida as a Princess Cruises musician
• 2017   Became a member of the legendary Louie Shelton Band​
• 2021   Musical Director for Group of the year The Howard Morrison Junior Quartet​
• 2022   Awarded New Zealand Musician Of The Year​
• 2024   Fifth Album released worldwide on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music