Benjamin Barnes aka Bencasso Violinist from San Francisco, CA

Benjamin Barnes aka Bencasso The Strolling Violinist Violin, Viola, Guitar, Voice Artist, Educator, and Coach Commentator on the Nationally syndicated radio podcast "The Price of Business" segment "The Coaches Corner" Bencasso Media 2023 San Francisco Arts Commission 20,000 dollar grantee "San Francisco Artist Award" Panelist on California Arts Coucil's Impact Grant Review 2022 and 2024 Benjamin Barnes is a multifaceted individual whose life has been defined by his unyielding passion for culture, music, art, business, and education. Born to David Barnes, a gifted singer-songwriter and guitarist, and Lillian Lafayette, a painter who possessed a touch of madness, Benjamin inherited not only their creative genes but also their indomitable spirit. A Life of Art and Music (1975-Present) Benjamin's journey as a street musician and artist began in 1975, and he has continued to captivate audiences with his talent and creativity ever since. Over the years, he has not only honed his skills as a musician and artist but also as an educator, record producer, author, and even a music video producer. His artistic endeavors culminated in 2019 when he ventured into short film making, followed by entering the world of NFTs in 2022. Education and Artistic Training Benjamin's path to mastery has been shaped by esteemed mentors and institutions. His mother, an artist herself, taught him the art of painting, while his father imparted the secrets of playing the guitar and singing. Sherry Kloss, a protege of Jascha Heifetz, honed his violin skills, which he further refined at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of renowned musicians like Izzy Tinkleman, Paul Hersh, Don Ehrlich, Zaven Melikian, Ian Swensson, and Mark Sokol. Additionally, Benjamin pursued jazz studies with Dave Balakrishnan, delved into the world of bluegrass through festival jams and Kenny Baker records, and even received film editing instruction from Emmy-nominated Eric Deinzer. A Diverse Teaching Career Benjamin's dedication to education is as impressive as his artistic pursuits. He holds a teaching credential with supplementary authorization for music from SF State and has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Education. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in rating standardized tests, focusing on instructing children to read with feeling, a skill he has cultivated through years of music and artistry. Musician Extraordinaire Benjamin's musical journey has seen him at the forefront of various musical projects. He was the lead singer, songwriter, and violinist for the hard rock power trio Deadweight, a band that achieved notable success, including winning the Lucky Strike Band competition and signing with Nippon Columbia and Alternative Tentacles. Violinist and currently the lead singer of Swindlefish, a guitarist singer songwriter, founding member of Rilke String Quartet, and producer and performer on several albums of original songs. His musical prowess led him to collaborate with luminaries like Isaac Stern, Graeme Jennings, Paulo Baldi, Les Claypool, Fishbone, Mr. Bungle, Eric McFadden, The Coup, Dead Prez, DJ Spooky, and D.J Disk. His first demo was even produced by Metallica's Jason Newstead.

• Someone Like You | Adele
• Any Christmas Song | Traditional
• Sweet Dreams | The Eurythmics
• Eleanor Rigby | The Beatles
• In my Life | The Beatles
• Hey Jude | The Beatles
• Dust in the Wind | Kansas
• I can't Help Falling in Love with You | Elvis Pressly
• Beautiful | Christina Aguilera
• Blue Train | John Coltrane
• Minuet in G | Ludwig van Beethoven
• Liebesleid | Fritz Kreisler
• Praeludium and Allegro | Fritz Kreisler
• Sonata for Violin no.5 in F major opus 24 | Ludwig van Beethoven
• Creep | Radiohead
• Yellow | Coldplay
• Every Breath You Take | The Police
• Message in a Bottle | The Police
• Family Life from the movie "Up"
• Pavanne | Faure
• Bolero | Maurice Ravel
• Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin | Richard Wagner
• Wedding March | Felix Mendelsson
• Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring | J.S. Bach
• Romance in F | Ludwig van Beethoven
• String Quartet in C minor opus 18 no.4 | Ludwig van Beethoven
• Hungarian Dance no.5 | Johannes Brahms
• Concerto for Violin in A minor | J.S. Bach
• Draggin the Bow | Bluegrass
• My Own House Waltz | Bluegrass
• Festival Waltz | Bluegrass
• Cripple Creek | Bluegrass
• Westphalia Waltz | Bluegrass
• Cricket on the Hearth | Bluegrass
• Whiskey Before Breakfast | Bluegrass
• 50 Years Ago Waltz | Bluegrass
• Like Someone in Love | Jazz Standard
• All of You | Jazz Standard
• Take the A Train | Duke Ellington
• Caravan | Duke Ellington
• Take 5 | Dave Brubeck
• Morning has Broken | Cat Stephens
• Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor | J.S. Bach
• Concerto for Two Violins in D minor | J.S. Bach
• The Four Seasons | Antonio Vivaldi
• Holet California | The Eagles
• Wake me up when September Ends | Green Day
• September | Earth Wind and Fire
• Kanon in D | Prince
• Purple Rain | Prince
• A Space Oddity | David Bowie
• Life on Mars | David Bowie
• Bohemian Rhapsody | Queen
• Adagio in G minor | Tomaso Albinoni
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik | Mozart
• My Way | Frank Sinatra
• Perfect | Ed Sheeran
• All of Me | John Legend
• All of Me | Jazz Standard
• Body and Soul | Jazz Standard
• Come Fly with Me | Frank Sinatra
• The way you Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra
• Fly me to the Moon | Frank Sinatra
• Into You | Arianna Grande