Guitarist and composer Ben McClintock (he/him) was born in the high desert of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite his early fascination with music, it wasn't until the age of 18 that he picked up a guitar. He was immediately captivated and has since dedicated much of his time and energy to the instrument.
Seeking to further develop his skills, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music. During his time there, he was fortunate to study under the guidance of slide guitar virtuoso David Tronzo for three years. Boston also became the breeding ground for his instrumental rock band Izzi Creo, which gained popularity in New England and released two independent albums.
After completing his studies at Berklee, McClintock moved to San Francisco, where he continued to explore and evolve as a musician. He became involved in indie-rock bands Social Studies and Smokin' Ziggurats, allowing him to tour the country and share the stage with renowned acts such as Bombino, Grizzly Bear, Metz, La Luz, and Dengue Fever. Throughout this period, he found a growing fascination with improvised and new music, leading him to perform solo with the electric guitar and an array of effect pedals.
After more than a decade on the west coast Ben moved back to the east coast where he earned a master's degree in Jazz Performance from Hunter College under the tutelage of renowned trombonist Ryan Keberle. He released an album "The Shape of Space" in 2024 which is composed of 8 songs that play out like cinematic vignettes. The sound has been described as soulful, moody and playing with the lines between jazz and electronic music. He is currently in the process of finishing his follow up album recorded at Figure 8 Studios in Brooklyn in the fall of 2025.
Residing in Brooklyn, McClintock performs regularly with his quartet The Shape of Space and with many other creative and inspiring musicians. Alongside his musical pursuits, he embraces the role of an educator, relishing the opportunity to pass on his knowledge and expertise to aspiring and eager students.
