Ben Rice & The PDX Hustle
“You get everything with Ben Rice: old-school blues recorded in a quality studio… a band that brings the old-school blues to life right before your very eyes (and ears) and a fun live show that will have you dancing!” -Music Connection
Ben Rice might be described as quiet and unassuming – until he picks up a guitar. That stealthy quality has earned him the moniker “blues ninja,” evidenced in his vocal chops and songcraft as well as his guitar playing. While Ben started in traditional blues, over the years he’s built upon that foundation with soul, R&B, folk and country to fashion a welcoming front porch where everybody wants to hang out into the wee hours.
Ben’s early influences were vinyl records, and from a young age he spent his allowance money on blues compilations featuring Mississippi John Hurt, Bukka White, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and cassette tapes of more contemporary artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray, all played until they wore out.
That broad range of influences combined to yield a guitar style that’s been described as “fearless,” “inventive,” and “powerful.” Whether he’s sliding up and down on a steel resonator or reeling off stinging leads on his custom-crafted electric, Ben’s intensity and inventiveness never fail to turn heads. Audiences also respond to his heartfelt songwriting that carries a classic, strongly relatable vibe.
Although Ben’s first passion was guitar, he diligently hones his singing to best support his original tunes. In performance, he strives to be mindful of the meaning behind his lyrics, treating every song like a story and evoking the mood of what the story’s main character is going through.
In 2023 Ben added horns, vocal harmonies, piano and organ to his lineup for a larger, more energetic band that he calls Ben Rice & The PDX Hustle. The response locally and on tour has been electric – the higher-intensity presentation of Ben’s music brings audiences to their feet and makes it clear Ben Rice is a formidable artist with more career triumphs still in his future.
