Guitarist

Ben Cipolla

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About Ben

Soulful vocals, sun-drenched grooves, and feel-good energy - Ben Cipolla brings unforgettable warmth to weddings and parties
Guitarist
Bristol
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Ben Cipolla is a genre-defying singer, guitarist, and songwriter whose music radiates warmth, charm, and originality. Blending soulful vocals, jazz-rooted harmony, and laid-back rhythms, Cipolla has carved out a unique space in the UK music scene—one that fuses intimacy with groove and technical musicianship with feel-good accessibility. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Jack Johnson, Chris Martin, Jacob Collier, and George Ezra, Cipolla’s sound carries the sincerity of acoustic pop, the musical curiosity of jazz, and the sun-drenched optimism of bossa nova. But what sets him apart is his adventurous approach to covers and reinterpretations. A natural entertainer and crowd-pleaser, Ben has curated a live set that spans generations and genres—from General Levy’s Incredible to Stormzy and Dave’s Clash, iconic Italian folk tunes, and timeless bossa nova classics. In recent years, Cipolla has been developing and refining a signature musical concept he calls Bossa-Nova Rap—a distinctive fusion in which classic rap and R&B tracks are reimagined with Latin jazz grooves, lush chords, and smooth acoustic stylings. This inventive blend has become a standout feature of his live performances, often catching audiences delightfully off guard as he glides from a Kendrick Lamar verse into a mellow João Gilberto-style arrangement. Whether performing at weddings, private parties, festivals, or corporate events, Cipolla’s adaptability and genre-hopping confidence make him a perfect fit for any setting. Ben’s roots lie in Wiltshire, where he was born and raised, before relocating to Bristol—a city whose rich musical culture has further shaped his artistry. His Sicilian heritage, too, plays a major role in his creative output. His most recent original album, Casa Mia, was a personal exploration of identity, ancestry, and belonging, weaving together storytelling, Italian melodic influences, and jazz-pop songwriting. Cipolla is no stranger to major stages and radio waves. His original music has been broadcast nationally on BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1, and BBC Radio 2. Live highlights include performing at the BBC Swing Jazz Prom at the Royal Albert Hall with Clare Teal, as well as festival appearances at WOMAD, Manchester Jazz Festival, Shambala Festival, and Cheltenham Jazz Festival. With each performance, he continues to prove that his sound is both rooted and evolving—respectful of tradition, yet always moving forward. Currently, Ben is working on his next studio album, which promises to expand on the sonic palette introduced in Casa Mia while further exploring his trademark fusion of jazz, pop, Latin, and spoken-word influences. This upcoming body of work will reflect the journey he’s been on—musically, geographically, and personally—as he continues to refine his voice as both a solo artist and a captivating live performer. Whether you book him for a sunlit garden party, a candlelit ceremony, or a packed-out venue, Ben Cipolla brings an unmistakable energy to the stage: heartfelt, inventive, and utterly unforgettable.

Ben
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4.7 out of 5
3 verified reviews

Ben's Reviews

From customers:

S
Selwyn K
7 years ago, for a Concert in Broad St
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4 out of 5

With a wry smile, Clare Teal explains that this concert, First Ladies of Swing, has been two years in the planning. Since its genesis, there was the Swing Jazz Prom in 2017 that featured tonight’s guest vocalists – all of whom are male. Later, conductor Guy Barker leads a tribute that he arranged to ‘that well known First Lady of Swing, Ray Charles’. Misnomer aside, this concert does form an exceptionally fine tribute to such queens of swing as Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne, as well as swing in general. The stars of the show are undoubtedly Clare Teal and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) under the baton of Barker, who also arranged most of the evening’s music. Teal acts both as vocalist and MC, singing with aplomb and discussing the music with wit and warmth. Her voice has a richness to it and she can certainly deliver a song. She also gives every indication of thoroughly enjoying the entire evening – as do the members of the CBSO whose heads often bob in time as they await their cues. Teal is equally at home with the upbeat, for example, Singin’ in the Rain as the wistful Secret Love, which also benefits from an atmospheric string section. Throughout, Barker conducts with authority and efficiency of movement, leading the CBSO to effortlessly strike just the right mood. Teal emphasises the importance of supporting live music and the bringing on of new talent – borne out in the choice of guest vocalists, all of whom are young men who are supremely talented: this evening is a real treat for the ears. We are introduced to Scandinavian Mads Mathias as he sings Some Day You’ll Be Sorry. There’s a lovely crooning tone to his voice, recalling a younger Jamie Cullum. Later we meet Ben Cipolla who, Teal says, she first came cross when he was busking. He reminds one of a young Sinatra when he sings Young at Heart in the first half, but any suggestion that that’s all he is is soon dismissed when he sings I Only Have Eyes for You accompanying himself on guitar. This is a truly magical performance from Cipolla and one that justly brings tumultuous applause. The final guest vocalist, ROB.GREEN, also produces a moment of pure magic with Georgia On My Mind – ROB.GREEN and his performance are really something special. These young singers produce truly memorable performances for all the right reasons. What is gratifying to see is how much all the vocalists appear to enjoy the evening and each other’s company, as shown when they share singing duties, for example, in their fun rendition of Hernando’s Hideaway. Their enjoyment raises the performances to a higher level as their enthusiasm infects the audience. The orchestra also has the opportunity to show off its skills in two tributes, one to Ray Charles, the other to Quincy Jones. Here, as elsewhere, they show they can really swing causing almost involuntary swaying and foot-tapping throughout the auditorium. However, when the CBSO is really swinging it can overwhelm the singers’ voices meaning that some lines are inaudible, especially before the interval, which causes some frustration to the listener. Nevertheless, this evening proves that the future of Swing is secure when there are performances of the calibre seen tonight, performances from rising stars who are surely destined for the very top of the tree.

NF
Nicholas F
8 years ago, for a Concert in https://www.marlboroughnewsonline.co.uk/features/arts-entertainment/reviews/7001-ben-cipolla-busking-the-high-street-to-the-royal-albert-hall
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5 out of 5

Jazz megastar, Clare Teal, is a great discoverer of new talent. After all, she discovered Jamie Cullum. Just five years ago, she was walking down Marlborough High Street on the way to her gig in the big marquee at the International Jazz Festival when she saw a young lad busking a Michael Jackson song. She was so taken with his talents that she invited him then and there to do a spot in her show singing, as a duo, the Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell classic, ‘There ain’t no mountain high enough’. From there Ben Cipolla’s career has not looked back. Not for nothing has his voice been described as ‘like having heavy liquid chocolate dripped into your ears, smooth and rich.’ In those four years he has gone from appearing at the Marlborough Fire Station to performing in the ‘Battle of the Big Bands’ at a Promenade Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, where he sang, the Boswell Sisters number, ‘Roll on Mississippi, Roll on’, with Clare and another rising star, Cherise Adams-Burnett. Those fortunate to have attended this year’s Marlborough Jazz would have seen this fantastic trio at the Town Hall just a few weeks earlier. Ben was in good company at the Albert Hall. There were at least ten other performers who’d played Marlborough Jazz on the stage, including Clare, band leader, Guy Barker and the great American saxophonist, Pee Wee Ellis. Ben, from Great Bedwyn, was educated at St. John’s School and read Popular Music (what else?) at the University of Gloucestershire. He formed his jazz septet while still at school. It includes fellow former St. John’s pupil, Jonny Budd, who went on to read Modern Languages at Oxford, on electric guitar and ex-Marlborough College boy, Dan Springate, who became a multi-instrumental music student at Manchester. Not exactly flush with money, they travelled to their earliest gigs by National Express! They appeared at the opening ceremony of the Weymouth Olympics in 2012 and they were voted ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Marlborough Jazz Festival in 2014, an event, which he acknowledges, ‘gave us such a great starting platform’. They’ve appeared at such top festivals as Cheltenham and Glastonbury and at such top locations as the Cadogan Hall. It’s difficult to disagree with Jazz FM presenter, Ian Shaw’s simple assessment of Ben Cipolla. ‘He will be huge. Mark my words.’

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Ben's Song list

Adele - Easy On Me
Adele - Rolling In The Deep
Al Green - Let's Stay Together
Andy Williams - Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Aretha Franklin - I Say a Little Prayer For You
Aretha Franklin - This Could Be the Start of Something
Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High
Avril Lavigne - Sk8er Boi
Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Ben Howard - Only Love
Beyoncé - Halo
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
Bill Withers - Just The Two Of Us
Billy Idol - Dancing with Myself
Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love
Bob Marley - Is This Love
Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are
Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark
Clean Bandit - Rather Be
Chromeo - Fancy Footwork
Coldplay - Paradise
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Coldplay - Yellow
Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On
Daniel Caesar - Best Part
Dave feat. Stormzy - Clash
David Gray - Babylon
Dua Lipa - One Kiss
Dua Lipa - New Rules
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Ed Sheeran - Perfect
Ed Sheeran - The A Team
Elvis Presley - Burning Love
Ella Fitzgerald - I Only Have Eyes For You
Estelle - American Boy
Etta James - At Last
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Fratellis - Whistle For The Choir
General Levy - Incredible
George Ezra - Blame It On Me
George Ezra - Budapest
George Ezra - Shotgun
Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
Gregory Porter - Don't Lose Your Head of Steam
Gregory Porter - Holding On
Harry Nilsson - Everybody's Talkin'
Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
Jack Johnson - Better Together
Jack Johnson - Good People
Jack Johnson - Staple It Together
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
James Morrison - You Give Me Something
James Morrison - Wonderful World
Jason Derulo - Talk Dirty
Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Jason Mraz - Lucky
Jay Z & Kanye West - Niggas In Paris
John Legend - All of Me
John Martyn - May You Never
John Mayer - New Light
John Mayer - Neon
John Mayer - Queen of California / Everybody
Katrina and the Waves - Walking On Sunshine
Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
Kooks - Naive
Kool and The Gang - Get Down On It
KSI - Holiday
Lauv - I'm So Tired
Louis Prima - I Wanna Be Like You
Madness - It Must Be Love
Maggie Rogers - Alaska
Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning
Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror
The Monkees - I'm A Believer
Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man
Mumford and Sons - The Cave
Mumford and Sons - Winter Winds
Natty - July
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
PJ Morton (Bee Gees) - How Deep Is Your Love
Renato Carosone - Tu Vuo' Fa' L'americano
Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman - Something Stupid (Bossa)
Simon and Garfunkel - The Boxer
Simon and Garfunkel - Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Simon and Garfunkel - The Soldier
Sister Sledge - We Are Family
Smash Mouth - All Star
Snarky Puppy - Amour T’es La
Sonny and Cher - I Got You Babe
Stereophonics - Have A Nice Day
Stevie Wonder - All Is Fair In Love
Stevie Wonder - As
Stevie Wonder - Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing
Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
Stevie Wonder - Signed Sealed Delivered
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Sting - Englishman In New York
The Staves - Facing West
The Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends
The Wannadies - You and Me
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
Van Morrison - Moondance

Ben's Prices

Last updated: 2025

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
DurationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£75
Up to 1 hour£250
Up to 2 hours£375
Up to 3 hours£500
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£250

Add-ons

Video Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
+£150
Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz, Swing, Folk, Pop
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party
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Other skills:
Audio engineer, Composer, Lyricist, Sound technician, Songwriter, Producer, Dancer, Perfect pitch, Singing teaching, Composition teaching
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