Ben Young

Jazz scholar and educator Ben Young has spent 30 years doing first-person research into the history of jazz music, as learned through direct contact with the musicians and the artifacts of their achievements. Young has spent 35 years as a radio host, and produced hundreds of Jazz reissue projects. Since 2009 he has been a staff lecturer in the Swing University program at Jazz at Lincoln Center. His exhaustive biography of pianist Cecil Taylor is forthcoming in 2027.

Jazz 101 (Spring Term 2026)

Participant Testimonials:

The course gives an excellent introduction to jazz music.

Great course. A tremendous volume of potential material to cover; great job selecting what to cover.  Excellent engagement.  Seasoned perspective.

Knowledge of the subject incredible, and we were lucky to share a bit of his depth of experience.