Ben Cottrell is a conductor, composer, arranger, and producer. As a music creator he works primarily across all areas of jazz, improvised & experimental music; as a conductor and arranger, he is active in a wide variety of styles/genres.

Ben is perhaps best known for his work with Beats & Pieces Big Band, which he founded in 2008. Since then he has toured the band extensively across UK, Europe, and North America to consistent audience and critical acclaim. Beats & Pieces’ long-awaited fourth album Good Days was released in January 2023 to widespread acclaim.

As a conductor/director, upcoming and recent work includes collaborations with Mike Westbrook’s Uncommon Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18, and Ivo Neame. Composition projects outside of Beats & Pieces include New Seeing, commissioned by Manchester Jazz Festival, and work with LEEDS2023, Psappha, and saxophonist Anthony Brown amongst others. Arranging credits include recording and live projects with a diverse range of artists including Laura Mvula, Everything Everything, Giorgio Moroder, and Goldie, commissioned by organisations/ensembles including BBC Proms, Metropole Orkest, and The Heritage Orchestra.

Ben runs Efpi Records, an independent label releasing music primarily by artists working in and/or connected with the flourishing Manchester scene. Efpi artists include Let Spin, Adam Fairhall, Johnny Hunter, Gemma Bass, Richard Jones, and Graham South.

Alongside his creative practice, Ben is a PhD researcher at Birmingham City University supported by Midlands4Cities, investigating ecologies of large jazz and improvising ensemble scenes in the UK and Europe. He is also a Principal Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire.