Ben van Gelder is an internationally acclaimed alto saxophonist known for his unique sound, lyricism, and distinctive approach to composition. Rooted in jazz tradition, his music draws inspiration from various genres and disciplines, including visual art, which often informs his writing.

At 17, Van Gelder moved to New York, where he spent a decade collaborating with leading artists. He formed a quintet with Sam Harris, Craig Weinrib, Rick Rosato, and Peter Schlamb, releasing three albums and touring Europe, Japan, and the U.S. Regular performances at The Jazz Gallery allowed him to experiment and build a reputation, leading to collaborations with luminaries like David Binney, Mark Turner, and Ambrose Akinmusire. His commissioned work Among Verticals, inspired by Frantisek Kupka’s painting, received widespread acclaim and was performed by ensembles such as the Metropole Orchestra and the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.

Van Gelder has won awards including the Deloitte Jazz Award and a Gold Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Now based in the Netherlands, he teaches at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam.