Ben Darwish was born May 5, 1984 in Portland, Oregon. He began studying the piano at age 6, but didn’t began studying jazz until his teens. He longed to be in a rock band, so he studied drums for two years in middle school and then guitar for three years in high school. He soon formed Chill Factor, an eclectic mix of rock and various styles which would eventually win Portland’s Battle of the Bands at the Roseland. Chill Factor won the competition on Ben’s sixteenth birthday and were awarded recording time to cut an album.

Ben attended Portland’s Lincoln High School and performed with NWA Jazz Band and Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra. He continued his education at the Mt. Hood Community College, a school well known for their jazz department. At the age of 18, Ben studied with pianist Randy Porter, who became Ben’s teacher for 2 years and a role model for life. Randy had a profound influence on Ben and encouraged him to find his own distinct voice.

Ben is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies at the University of Oregon. He has appeared on Homegrown Jazz on 89.1 KMHD and on the Don Manning Jazz Show on 90.7 KBOO. He has also appeared on PJJ-TV for a special performance with his trio. Ben has played with Kevin Mahogany, Harry Allan, Jamey Abersold, Alan Jones, Paul Mazzio, Duffy Bishop, and Esperanza Spalding, among others. He was also the recipient of the 2003 Jazz Society of Oregon Young Musician Scholarship. And in October of 2005, the Ben Darwish Trio, with Drew Shoals on drums and Zach Wallmark on bass, was formed.