Ben Neill, born November 14, 1957 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is an American composer, trumpeter, producer, author, and educator. He began his musical journey at the North Carolina School of the Arts and Eastern Music Festival. Neill formed a new wave rock band in 1980 and developed the Mutantrumpet, an electro-acoustic instrument with extra bells, valves, and electronic modifications. His work has been recorded on labels including Universal/Verve, Astralwerks, and Thirsty Ear. Notable releases include the albums Triptycal (1996) and Goldbug (1998). He also participated in the AIDS benefit album Offbeat: A Red Hot Soundtrip in 1996. Neill has performed extensively at venues like Lincoln Center, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Moogfest 2011.
