Ben Cooper Grier is a saxophonist, educator, and author whose work bridges formal music training with extensive real-world performance experience. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a minor in Jazz Studies. At UF Grier was an active participant in the developing jazz program, serving as lead alto and jazz tenor in the University of Florida Jazz Ensemble, and he received multiple scholarships, including the Gary Langford Jazz Scholarship (twice) and the Kenneth Webster Saxophone Scholarship (three times). Ben was also recognized by the Gainesville Friends of Jazz for his contributions to the Gainesville Jazz Festival.
Grier’s performance career began early. After high school he briefly toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and has since performed with a wide range of ensembles, including the Harry Wuest Jazz Orchestra, the Florida Gateway College Jazz Band, the SEC All-Star Big Band, the SEC All-Star Jazz Combo, Sister Hazel, What It Is, and many jazz, blues, R&B, soul, and wedding ensembles throughout North Central Florida. He also performed in multiple university and community productions of Broadway musicals, among them City of Angels, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Cinderella, The King and I, and West Side Story. These experiences, combined with hundreds of private lessons taught through his own studio, informed Ben’s approach to teaching improvisation and theory. Additional professional activities have included the Jazz Education Network Conference (Antigua Winds exhibitor), the UF Gordon Goodwin Jazz Camp, and the UF Brazilian Music Institute.
Drawing on his academic studies, insights from mentors (including Tony Buzzella, JT Taylor, Harry Wuest, Ben Champion, Dave Becker, and Scott Wilson), and his professional playing, Ben authored The Grier Method book series. Throughout his career he has emphasized making jazz and improvisation accessible, combining rigorous musicianship with a clear, experience-based teaching philosophy.
