The Ben Phelps Project

As a full band The Ben Phelps Project is seven members strong, but don’t be surprised if you see them as a five-piece or even an acoustic three-piece.

Playing a mix of jazz, blues and rock – The Ben Phelps Project released “Vision & Sound,” a 10-song CD, last Christmas.

The members are lead singer and guitarist Ben Phelps; Andy Ritter on lead guitar; Matt Summitt on bass; Mike Adams on drums, Vladimir Barios on Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes and piano; Chris Ward on trumpet; and Mike Bartusiak on saxophone.

Phelps started out playing solo. “Andy and I were good friends, so we got together, and from there I started stealing students from Christopher Newport University’s school of music,” Phelps said. Summitt and Ward still attend CNU, and Adams and Bartusiak have graduated. Barios, who joined the group with Adams, also plays with a military band.

Although they haven’t opened for a national act, that’s about to change. They are scheduled to open for Richmond’s Carbon Leaf in August at the American Music Festival in Virginia Beach.

At this year’s annual Portfolio Music Awards, The Ben Phelps Project was nominated for best album and won best pop band – “even though I don’t necessarily consider our music poppish,” Phelps said.

The band will play two shows Friday evening at Harborfest in Norfolk.

Does the band have a pre-gig ritual?
A couple drinks and on with the show. No voodoo dolls or chants here.

What are the best and worst things about the local music scene?
The best thing: The scene is growing. Certain venues, namely the Outer Banks Brewing Station and The Jewish Mother, are catering to original music, bringing in acts that are out there playing good, original music regionally, as well as nationally. The worst thing: not enough small to midsize venues catering to original music. The good people of Hampton Roads know and appreciate good original homegrown music.

If the band was signed to a record deal, how would it spend the advance?
Gear, a new B.P.P. album and a better form of travel (the guys take two cars to every gig, so a van would be great).

Reach Patty Jenkins at (757) 446-2298 or patty.jenkins@pilotonline.com - The Virginian Pilot

Ben Phelps Project occupies a pleasant temperate zone between Dave Matthews-style jamming and the light-soul sounds of Edwin McCain.

On stage, the band knows know how to move a crowd.

"They are a really great high-energy pop band," said Andrew Coplon with Norfolk's Rising Tide Productions. "They get everyone singing the words to their songs." When the band headlined The NorVa, it reportedly kept 500 people entertained until the end of the night - a feat unusual for a local act.

The band's playing, highlighted by guitar strums and saxophone flourishes, provides a tightly-woven backdrop for Phelps' strong, versatile voice.

"They have a very radio-friendly sound, but they're also very soulful at times," Coplon said. "And they do a pretty good Tom Petty cover, so they can rock it up a little."

Phelps recently spent a few moments taking the Hometown Sounds exam. Here are his answers.

When did Ben Phelps Project start? 2006. The major thing was finding guys who wanted to find an original sound ... I had a band in Blacksburg, when I was at Virginia Tech. Then I graduated and I had to get a day job. Now, I'm a history teacher at Smithfield High School. It's cool to teach during the day and help the kids, then play at night.

Who plays what? I'm lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Matt Summitt, bass and backing vocals; Michael Adams, drums and backing vocals; Michael Bartusiak, saxophone and backing vocals; Jared Pool, lead guitars and backing vocals.

Where is home base? I live in Smithfield and so does the bass player, who attends Christopher Newport University. Everybody else lives in Newport News.

Describe your style. It's Dave Matthews meets Ryan Adams with a huge dash of blues and jazz thrown in the mix.

Who are your musical heroes? The Beatles, The Police, Joshua Redman, Warren Haynes, Tower of Power.

Where do you like to play? The NorVa and Lake Matoaka Amphitheater. With The NorVa, it's the sound system, the amenities, the prestige. And it's right here in our backyard ... Lake Matoaka is such a nice, beautiful place to play. It's a really nice amphitheater setting, more intimate than nTelos or Verizon.

What would be a dream gig? Any gig where the roadies do the work, the musicians play, the comps are satisfactory, the sound is excellent and the pay is good.

What's the best thing about playing music? Music is an expression of the soul. Without it, mine would be underexposed.

Do you have an ultimate goal? To create an original sound and share it with whomever will listen, whether it be locally, regionally or nationally. - The Daily Press