We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ryan Benthall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ryan below.

Ryan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Ryan Benthall is an emerging pianist and composer whose bold, original approach to music has already made waves in the community. Known for his expressive improvisations and unique harmonic voice, Benthall is poised to make a major impact with his debut album, Sovereign Mind, released on Boulder, CO’s renowned Octave Records.
As he honed his craft, Ryan’s music became a reflection of his own life journey. His compositions often touch on themes of self-discovery, love, loss, and empowerment. The title of his debut album, “Sovereign Mind,” reflects his desire to inspire listeners to tap into their own inner strength and resilience.
Ryan’s music is also influenced by his interests in spirituality, philosophy, and social justice. He believes that music has the power to bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire positive change.
Through his performances and recordings, Ryan aims to share his vision of a more compassionate, inclusive, and harmonious world. His music is an invitation to connect with others, explore our shared humanity, and celebrate the beauty of life in all its forms.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In 2013, Ryan accomplished a Fine Arts degree in Music from STLCC and then went on to complete undergrad studies at the University of Missouri St. Louis, finishing a Bachelors Degree in Music Composition with a minor in Jazz. He was recognized with top honors in the class of 2018 receiving a Distinguished Performance in Keyboard award and the Outstanding Music Composition award from the UMSL Music Department as well as being a member of the Honors Society.
Ryan has performed and toured with many bands including the Jackson Stokes Band opening for the 2019-2020 Allman Betts Band world tour, the Charlie Berry Project, The Schwag, Daft Phish and Brother Francis & the Soultones along with many other groups and ensembles.
Ryan currently performs with Phoebe Nix based out of Boulder, CO.
He also leads his own solo group, The Ryan Benthall Trio.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

A native of St. Louis Missouri, Ryan began playing the piano at a young age, quickly developing a deep passion for jazz and its rich tradition of improvisation. His musical journey took him through formal studies at the University of Missouri St. Louis, where he absorbed influences ranging from classic jazz greats like Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock to contemporary innovators such as Brad Mehldau and Esbjorn Svensson. What sets Ryan apart is his ability to seamlessly blend these influences, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted in jazz history and forward-looking in its exploration of new textures, rhythms, and forms.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Sovereign Mind features Ryan Benthall along with David Bernot on tenor saxophone, Sean Applebee playing trumpet and fluegelhorn, Braxton Kahn on drums, and Bill McCrossen playing the upright bass. The nine originals on the album range span a wide variety of moods and tempos, from the up-tempo title track to the dreamlike feeling of “Moon Over the Mountain.” The piano is at the forefront for most of the arrangements, with the horns and synth providing a rich background of tonal colors and ensemble voicings while the rhythm section offers sympathetic accompaniment.

Ryan Benthall said, “The album’s title, Sovereign Mind, is the reflective theme of my own approach to life. To be able to think for myself, have my own perspective of life and approach to the language of music. Sovereign Mind reflects the idea of transporting ourselves to a unique place within ourselves that is beyond the typical experience.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ryanbenthall.net
• Instagram: @ryanbenthall
• Youtube: @RyanBenthall
• Other: https://www.volume.com/ryanbenthall

Image Credits

Photography by Courtney Scout.
Scout it Out Media.