This lad is simply great. Fresh words, good stories, ace musicianship. He will be huge. Mark my words. – Ian Shaw, Award-winning Vocalist & Jazz FM Presenter.

Ben Cipolla is a Wiltshire-born singer-songwriter, and has recently moved to Manchester. His singing has been described as “having liquid chocolate dripped in your ears,” and his distinctive upbeat and percussive guitar style is inspired by the likes of Nick Drake and Jack Johnson. Next year, Cipolla will be releasing his next album, Sicilia, which reflects his excitement at discovering his Sicilian roots, all while falling in love himself. The album also encompasses the emotions people go through when adapting to a new country, so he hopes to inspire audiences of all ages to explore their own heritage from his thought-provoking lyrics and humour on stage.

Over the past five years, he has performed annually at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which has hugely supported his development as an artist. He has since been really fortunate to have worked with some top jazz musicians, such as Clare Teal, who has given him solo opportunities at the BBC Swing Jazz Prom, and with the CBSO and RLPO. Clare says his songs are “an exhilarating mix of different moods, tones and flavours, beautifully crafted and musically nutritious!” Jazz vocalist Ian Shaw has also described his music as being “simply great” with “fresh words, good stories and ace musicianship.”