Ben Sollee and His Haunting Cello

Fifteen dollars.  In Clarendon, $15 can buy you three cucumbers, a kale bunch, and sushi roll from Whole Foods or you can walk a block over and give it to the door guy at the Iota Music Club and feed your soul with something good instead.

I had not heard of Ben Sollee before.  However, as I was in a crowd-following mood, I noticed that Iota seemed really popular this particular evening and thought I would go check out what the hype was all about.

A preppy nerd appeared on the stage with his cello.  In high school, this would have been the look you were trying to avoid, but he adjusted his black framed glasses and belted out a tune.  Wow -- no one would dare stuff Ben Sollee's amazing voice.  It's the kind that an audio recording just can't do any justice.   

But then there's his cello.  When he plays a solo on this instrument, it is haunting.  The rest of the room is silent in listening to this eery poem. 

Originally from Kentucky, his music is a blend of bluegrass, folk, and jazz.  But there is something cool, modern, and totally hip about the guy.

Ben Sollee performs as part of a trio.  He's accompanied by Jordon Ellis on percussion and, in this particular show, the fantastic Phoebe Hunt on the fiddle. When you watch her on stage, she has these moments where she just seems like she's in her own world.  The music surges out of her soul.

Ben and troupe are out promoting their newly-released record, Inclusions.  However, if he's passing through your town, go catch his beautiful performance in person.  

I love it when a random night of wandering provides quite a treasure.