A fantastic drummer whose solid support has helped a number of advanced bop periods, Ben Riley is most beneficial known for his association with Thelonious Monk’s Quartet despite the fact that he was just an associate for 3 years. Prior to using Monk, Riley performed numerous combos, including those led by Randy Weston, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, Junior Mance, Kenny Burrell, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis-Johnny Griffin (1960-1962), Ahmad Jamal, Billy Taylor, and Ray Bryant. His well-documented stint with Monk (1964-1967) was accompanied by organizations with Alice Coltrane (on / off during 1968-1975), the brand new York Quartet (through the entire 1970s and ’80s), Ron Carter (1975-1977), Jim Hall (1981), as well as the group Sphere. Furthermore, Riley offers toured thoroughly with Abdullah Ibrahim.
Music Songs I'll Remember April, Dual Force, Jordu, It's Alright With Me, When Lights Are Low, To The Highest Degree, Love Letters, Morning Blues, Straight, No Chaser, Bill's Waltz, Reflections, Beautiful Friendship, Ornithology, Have You Met Miss Jones, Pannonica, Time Speaks, Don't Come, Don't Call, Blues for E.J., What Am I Here For?, Lullaby in Rythm, Good Foot, Monk's Glimpse, Blimey, Young and Foolish, Domani, Can't We Talk It Over, Green Chimneys, Sir Felix, Almost Touching It, Get to the Point, Instant Blue, Lost And Found
Albums Live On Tour, Have you met... Barcelona?, Good Company, A Tribute to Someone (feat. Curtis Fuller, John Stubblefield, Tom Williams, David Williams, Ben Riley), Invitation, Pumpkins Delight, Standards, Time Speaks, What Am I Here For?, Quest (feat. Billy Harper, Leszek Mozdzer), Reflections
Movies Jazz Icons: Thelonious Monk: Live in '66
Facts
Filmography
Awards
Salaries
Quotes
Trademarks
Pictures
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Fact
1
Filming Birth of Evil (2011) in Chicago, IL. [January 2011]
2
Recently wrapped on the feature film Scalene starring Margo Martindale, Hanna Hall and Adam Scarimbolo. [May 2010]
3
Filming Quench on location in Indiana. [October 2006]
4
Making Los Angeles theatre debut [June 2009]
5
Recently moved to Los Angeles to continue his acting career. [December 2007]
6
Prepping to play Leonard Peltier in the Untitled Leonard Peltier bio-pic filming early Spring 2011. [September 2010]
7
Filming Belief (2011) in Connecticut and Rhode Island. [June 2010]
8
Attended the Piven Theatre Workshop acting school in Evanston, IL, ran by founder Joyce Hiller Piven, mother of actor Jeremy Piven.
9
Worked construction as a concrete laborer in the Midwest before moving to Los Angeles for acting.
10
Is of Italian, German, American Indian (Cherokee) and Jewish ethnicity.
11
Attended the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles.
Actor
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Hollow Point
2017
post-production
The Detective
Belief
2013
Jason Benson
Kidnapped Souls
2012
Ben
The Only One
2011
Jerry Brandt
Scalene
2011
Jason
War Child
2011
Short
Pvt. William Pratt
Inception
2010
Bridge Sub Con (uncredited)
Cherry.
2010
Trevor Banks
The Deep End
2010
TV Series
Attorney
Shade of Grey
2009
Bryan (as Ben Schmitt)
Dance Flick
2009
Los Angeles Cop (uncredited)
What Goes Around
2008/II
Short
Brent (as Ben Schmitt)
Only Fools Rush In...
2008
Video
Tyler (as Ben Schmitt)
Don't See It Alone
2008
Short
Steve (as Ben Schmitt)
Die Cheerleader Die
2008
Jake (as Ben Schmitt)
Darling
2007/IV
Short
Roger (as Ben Schmitt)
Quench
2007
Jason (as Ben Schmitt)
Loss
2007/II
Short
The Man (as Ben Schmitt)
Be Good
2007
Short
Vega (as Ben Schmitt)
The Contract
2007
Video short
James (as Ben Schmitt)
The Break-Up
2006
Bartender (uncredited)
Self
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Pop Skull
2007
Himself - Commercial Guy (as Ben Schmitt)
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Quote
1
[on Daniel Day-Lewis ] To me he is a perfect artist. He is not only the greatest actor of his generation (and one of the greatest actors ever), but he is a class act and an inspiration. His discipline, commitment, and bravery to stretch himself in the work, is unrivaled in the industry and proves that great artists are more concerned with the work, and not the fame that comes as a result of great work.
2
It's about making the right choices. Yea you can do a $100 million movie and become a movie star overnight but actors like Robert De Niro, Sean Penn and Edward Norton have made choices that establish their range and that's what the key is; longevity. I want longevity in this industry, not flash in the pan 'success'.
3
I act because I love for audiences to forget about their lives, troubles and problems for a couple of hours and enter the land of make believe. If I can make them watch and be moved then I have done my job well.
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Trademark
1
Wears cowboy boots
2
Often plays intense characters struggling with redemption
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