Ben Mowat Violinist

Ben is a professional violinist based in Bristol. Alongside his performance work he is also a composer, producer and teacher. Ben has a high level experience over several genres and specialises in create the perfect set list for your event! With a passion for great music that fits the brief, Ben has a background in classical, pop and Bollywood covers, jazz, celtic folk, tango, and klezmer. As well as a more standard wedding repertoire, Ben can also bring his work in experimental and electronic music into his performance, if desired. He is a loop pedal performer, and can improvise beautiful layers of violin and synths with beatboxing to create atmospheric and at times party dance music! From the age of 7 Ben studied violin under renowned Oxford violin tutor Steward Attwood. During his degree in Popular & World Music at Leeds University, he took advanced violin technique and jazz lessons from the UK's leading jazz violinist, Omar Puente (who plays with UK saxophonist Courtney Pine), graduating in 2006. Since then Ben has performed and toured with many bands and ensembles including his own classical-folk-triphop crossover act, The String Project (2011 - 2017). He also performed with Bristol's Celtic Celidh band Fitty Go-Mash in their early days, Folk rock band Lucky Jim (touring the Isle of Man TT Races for several years), jazz/blues band I've Got My JoMo Working and live drum 'n bass band Phil Oakley & The Allstars. Ben has also performed at Tango dance evenings. In 2014, 15 and 16, Ben toured each summer with Cristal Bal puppet theatre in Toulouse & the Pyrenees region and he also works with Bristol Based circus company Circobatica, creating live and recorded instrumental hip-hop. Ben is a regular attender of Bristol Klezmer folk sessions. In classical music Ben has played with a variety of university and semi-professional orchestras both in Oxford, Bristol and Grenoble. As well as violin performance Ben Mowat now composes music for film, TV and media, in a broad spectrum of genres from classical to popular, including music for choir, string quartet, orchestral and electronic. He has a Distinction for his MA in Composition for Film & TV (Bristol University). Ben Mowat currently works with Murmuration Choir both as chef score creator for their original arrangements and Event Manager for the choirs medium to large scale, collaborative concerts and gigs.

Arriving early to set up, I will bring my speaker, antique acoustic and/or electric violin, music stand and lap top and set up in a space a minium of 1m x 2m. The performance is live violin played over high quality backing tracks. I can play in any genre you like including classical, pop covers, jazz, folk, bollywood, klezemer and more. About my performance, people have said: =========== "I don’t think words are enough to describe how stunningly beautiful Ben plays and how his music can bring so much joy to people. Ben was nothing but perfection from the start, friendly, helpful and so accommodating. During our ceremony he played what was agreed and had me and my family in tears. During the reception he had my niece twirling and bouncing around. So many guest commented on just how wonderful he was. I can not recommend highly him enough,And can not put into works thankful I am. You really did make it magical! " =========== "Ben was everything we expected and more. Despite of the weather, the show went on and Ben lifted everyone’s spirits. Some of the best moments of our wedding was singing along outside under a pavilions whilst it was raining. He is a beautiful violinist, very professional and would 100% recommend to anyone. Thanks again Ben!" ======== "Absolutely brilliant, couldn't recomend Ben any more. Arrived early to our wedding venue, knew what songs to play and added the perfect filler songs when required. Also, played at our reception for everyone arriving! Fantastic " =========== "A fabulous evening’s entertainment from Ben, picked up on the rock and roll vibe and really made it happen. Could not have asked for a better evening" ========== "Ben was brillliant! From our inital enquiry to playing on the day, he was professional, prompt and cheerful. The range of music he can perform is incredible, and we loved that he catered his playlist to us. He plays beautifully and it really enhanced the atmosphere of our wedding welcome drinks after the ceremony. We had so many compliments from guests about how good he was and how perfect it fit into our day. Thank you Ben! Couldn't recommend enough" ===========

Ben Mowat - Song List Over 300 songs and pieces! Popular highlights: Classical: Cannon in D Pachelbel Bach/Gounod Ave Maria Schubert Ave Maria Pop: Elvis Presley Can't Help Falling In Love Christina Perri A Thousand Years John Legend All of Me Taylor Swift Wildest Dreams Ed Sheeran Talking Out Loud / Photograph / Shape of You Other Artists included: Cold Play Madonna Bob Marley Beatles Guns & Roses Alicia Keys David Bowie These are just some highlights, please scroll down for more! Please note: if your chosen song(s) are not in this list, Ben will be able to learn songs from outside of this list, for your event. Please ask him for details. CLASSICAL: Cannon in D Pachelbel Bach/Gounod Ave Maria Bach Air on the G String Debussy Clair de Lune Schubert Ave Maria Bach Double Violin Concerto Bach Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring Bach Partitas and Sonatas Beethoven Ode to Joy Brahms Hungarian Dance #5 Charbrier Espana Clarke Trumpet Voluntary Dvorak Humouresque Dvorak Romantic Pieces (No.1) Dvorak Romantic Pieces (No.3) Einaudi, Experience Franck Canon Gluck Dance of the Blessed Spirits Handle Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Handle Salut d'Amour Hess Ladies in Lavender Massenet Meditation Mendelssohn O, For the Wings of a Dove Mendelssohn On Wings of Song Mendelssohn Wedding March Mowat 6 Is The Magic Number Mowat Quartet 2004 Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik Mozart Romance (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) Purcell Rondeau (from Abdelazar) Schumann Traumerei (Dreaming) Tchaikovsky Waltz (from Serenade for Strings) Wagner Bridal Chorus POP: (other specific artists and genres further below) Elvis Presley Can't Help Falling In Love Christina Perri A Thousand Years Survivor Eye of The Tiger (Theme from Rocky III) Adele Rolling In The Deep Aerosmith I Don't Want to Miss A Thing American Authors Best Day of My Life Billy Joel She's Always A Woman Candi Staton / Florence and the Machine You Got The Love Gotye Somebody That I Used To Know Jack Johnson Better Together Jason Mraz I'm Yours Jason Mraz Lucky John Legend All of Me Lana Del Ray Blue Jeans Lana Del Ray Video Games Madonna True Blue McFly All About You Neil Diamond Sweet Caroline Prince Purple Rain Queen Another One Bites The Dust Samuel Beam Flightless Bird, American Mouth Shania Twain From This Moment Sia Chandelier Stephen Sanchez Until I Found You The Police Every Breath You Take The Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody Whitney Houston I Will Always Love You BRIDGETON STYLE (specifically): Calum Scott/Robyn Dancing on My Own Madonna Material Girl Miley cyrus Wrecking Ball Taylor Swift Wildest Dreams Archer Marsh Give Me Everything TAYLOR SWIFT: Blank Space I Knew You Were Trouble Love Story Lover Mean Our Song Paper Rings Shake It Off We Are Never Getting Back Together White Horse Willow You Belong With Me ED SHEERAN: Galway Girl Perfect Photograph Shape of You Thinking Out Loud COLDPLAY: Paradise The Scientist Viva la Vida Yellow RnB (R&B): Fugees / Roberta Flack / Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel Killing Me Softly SHAKIRA: Hips Don't Lie ALICIA KEYS: Fallin' Girl On Fire No One Other RnB: Chris Brown Young Thug Go Crazy Tyla Water Davido Unavailable Davido Sensational Bobby Caldwell What You Won't do for Love Ckay Love Nwanti Fetty Wap Trap Queen Gyptian and Nicki Minaj Hold yuh Katy Perry Dark Horse Teejay Rags to Riches Chronixx Smile Jamaica Chronixx DJ Skankin sweet Michael Jackson PYT Luther Vandross Never too much Rick Ross Aston Martin Music Byron Messiah Taliban Masicka Tyrant Sean Paul Deport Them Sensima Skibbi Rema Calm Down Rema Dumebi Wiz Kid Come Closer Rihanna Only Girl in the World Bobby Valentino Tell Me Future Wait on You SINGER SONGWRITER: Adele / Bob Dylan Make You Feel My Love Bob Dylan Blowing in the Wind Elli Golding How Long Will I Love You Leonard Cohen Hallelujah SOUL, MOWTOWN, FUNK: Al Green Let's Stay Together Al Green Take Me To The River Aretha Franklin Respect Average White Band Pick Up The Pieces Ben E King Stand By Me Booker T. And The MG's Green Onions Brain McKnight Back Up 1 Dionne Warwick I Say A Little Prayer For You Focus Hear Jackie Wilson Get The Sweetest Feeling James Brown I Got You (I Feel Good) Johnnie Taylor Who's Making Love Mark Ronson Uptown Funk Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston It Takes Two Michael Jackson Man in the Mirror Musiq Soul Child Beautiful Musiq Soul Child Don’t Change Natalie Cole This Will Be An Everlasting Love Otis Redding (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay Pharell Williams Get Lucky Pharell Williams Happy Rufus Thomas Walkin' The Dog Sam And Dave Soul Man Stevie Wonder Superstition Supertramp The Logical Song William Bell Private Number Wilson Pickett In The Midnight Hour REGGAE & SKA: Bob Marley Jammin Bob Marley One Love Bob Marley Three Little Birds Lee Scratch Perry Liquidator The Upsetters Madness The Specials Toots and the Maytals YG Marley Praise Jah in the Moonligt ANYTHING BY: Lauren Hill Portishead Radiohead ELECTRONIC LINDSEY STIRLING STYLE (violin) COVERS: All of Me - John Legend (Lindsay Stirling style) Don't You Worry Child Fix You Good Feeling My Immortal Pokemon Theme Radio Active Star Wars Medley MORE ROCK: Elton John Crocodile Rock Europe The Final Countdown Foo Fighters Times Like These Interpol C’mere Oasis Songbird Pink Floyd (loop pedal cover) Time Steppenwolf Born to Be Wild Sting Roxanne The Verve Bitter Sweet Symphony The XX Intro FLEETWOOD MAC: Dreams Everywhere You Make Loving Fun DAVID BOWIE: Life on Mars Under Pressure (Queen and Bowie) Ziggi Stardust ERIC CLAPTON: Layla Tears in Heaven Wonderful Tonight BEATLES: All You Need Is Love Blackbird Hey Jude Let It Be Love Me Do Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da With A Little Help From My Friends Yesterday Ticket To Ride BOLLYWOOD and HINDI SONGS: Dil Ko Karar Aaya Kudi Na Nachen De Pee Loon WESTERN FILM MUSIC: A Tale As Old As Time (Beauty and the Beast) Jurassic Park Theme Schindler’s List Theme The Bear Necessities (The Jungle Book) The Shire (Lord of the Rings) Turning page by Sleeping At Last (Twilight) CELTIC FOLK: IRISH: Carolan's Air Danny Boy Drowsy Maggie Harvest Home Lanigan's Ball Red Haired Boy The Bridal The Fox Hunter's Jig The Mason's Apron The Peeler's Away with My Daughter The Wind That Shakes The Barley ENGLISH: Constant Billy Country Gardens Hunting the Hare King of the Faries Morpeth Rant The Fairy Dance & Original by Ben Mowat The Girl I Left Behind Me The Keel Roa The Staffordshire Hornpipe The Trumpet Hornpipe SCOTTISH: Brochan Lom Earl Grey Flower of Scotland Lord MacDonald's Reel Mary, Young and Fair Miss Sally Hunter of Thurston Mrs Jamieson's Favourite The Bonny Lass o' Five The Flowers of Edinburgh The Gay Gordons The Spey in Spate MANX: Manx Lullaby CEILIDH DANCE SET: Atholl Highlanders Banish Misfortune Blarney Pilgrim Cripple Creek Farewell to Whalley Range John Ryan’s Polka Mairi’s Wedding Old Joe Clark The Ballydesmond Polka #1 The Ballydesmond Polka #2 The Bear Dance The Butterfly The Dusty Windowsills The Striking Clock TANGO & MILONGA: Comme il Faut El Choclo El Entrerriano El Petirrojo Hasta El Día Del Regreso Hijo De La Luna La Belgique La Cumpasita Más o Menos Por Una Cabeza Suerte Negra Tango - Isaac Albeniz ARGENTINE FOLK MUSIC (Chacareras, Chamamés etc): Chamamé del Jacarandá El Río Dulce El Violín De Gaucho La Alabanza La Pollona LATIN JAZZ: Apanhei-te, cavaquinho (I've got you, cavaquinho) Nazareth Cielito lindo (Little heavenly one) El condor pasa (The flight of the condor) Estes indiferente (You are indifferent) Veranes Flor de Yumuri (The flower of Yumuri) Anckermann La bamba La cucaracha (The cockroach) La enganadora (The swindler) Jorrin Quizas, quizas, quizas (Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps) Farres Takirari Tico-tico no fuba (Bird in the cornmeal) Abreu Vamos pastorcitos (Come, shepherds) JAZZ: 'Round Midnight All The Things You Are Autumn Leaves Blue Bossa Body and Soul Dark Eyes Have You Met Miss Jones How High the Moon I Got Rhythm It Could Happen To You My Blue Heaven On Green Dolphin Street Out of Nowhere So What Stella By Stalight Sweet Georgia Brown The Hot Canary There Will Never Be Another You This Can't Be Love What Is This Thing Called Love Wonderful World and Most Jazz Standards RAGTIME: Maple Leaf Rag The Entertainer KLEZEMER: At the Rabbi's Feast (Baym rebns sude) Avreml der Marvikher Bulgar from Kishinev (Kishinever Bulgar) Bulgar from Odessa (Odessa Bulgar) Congratulations to Bridegroom and Bride Dance Dance (Tants Yidelekh, Tants) Dance of Delight (Freylekh Tants) Dance of Displeasure (Broyges Tants) Der Heyser Bulgar Doyna Firn Di Mekhutonim Aheym Freylechs from Bukovina (Bukoviner Freylekhs) Freylechs from Warsaw (Varshaver Freylekhs) Hava Nagila In-law's Dance (Mekhutonim Tants) Jewish Wedding Song (Khosn Kale Mazl Tov) Leading the In-laws Home (Firn di mekhutonim aheym) Little Galitsian Dance (Galitsianer Tentsl) Moishele Many Fraynd Moshe's Donina Rozhinkez mit Mandlen Shalom Aleichem Street Melody (Der Gasn Nign) Sweet Father (Tate Ziser) The Wise Man's Song (Dem Tzadiks Zemerl) & Most other Klezmer Standards

Q: How long does setup take?

A: can be as quick as 10 to 20 minutes but I prefer to arrive 45 to 60 minutes early to give time for parking, unloading and set up with out being in a rush

Q: What are your space and power requirements?

A: - 1m x 2m minium - power sockets near by x 2

Q: Do you take requests?

A: Absolutely yes! There are 2 songs from outside of my song list available as part of most bookings and I can learn more songs from outside of my list for £30 per song. You are welcome to choose anything at all from my list of songs and pieces as part of the booking.