Ben Dameron is a sought after performer, composer and pedagogue based in Milwaukee, WI. He received his degrees in classical guitar from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, having studied with Kevin Callahan, Sergio Assad and René Izquierdo. Since finishing his classical training, Ben has dedicated his life to pursuing jazz, composition and improvisation.
He co-leads the Milwaukee based modern Jazz group “Heirloom”, which released its debut studio album “Familiar Beginnings” in September 2025. As he makes a name for himself in the Wisconsin jazz community, he is grateful to have shared the stage with musical friends Russ Johnson, Johannes Wallman, Geof Bradield, Mark Davis, John Christensen, Sam Taylor, Hannah Johnson, Clark Sommers, Devin Drobka, Mitchell Shiner, Aaron Van Oudenallen, Eric Koppa, Peter Dominguez, Pamela York, Steve Peplin, Rufus Parenti, Leo Buczkowski, Jayden Richardson, Clay Schaub, Jamie Breiwick, Tim Ipsen, Ethan Philion, Timothy Whalen, Al Falaschi, Paul Dietrich, Pawan Benjamin, Millie Ahearn and Garrett Waite.
Ben resides on the faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where he teaches private guitar lessons and jazz combos.
“In an increasingly competitive guitar world, it is difficult to predict who will be among the leaders of tomorrow. Ben Dameron has all the elements to become a shining star and one of these leaders. Give him some time and his natural talent shall flourish immensely.”
“Dameron is emerging as one of this generation’s most talented and complete artists on the guitar.”
“…his ear, temperament, instincts, technical talent are all first rate.”
“Though a seemingly shy, musically-focused person, Dameron had immediately shown both courage and improvisational skill by opening his set with a request to the audience: “Could anyone give me a few notes, just anything, to work with?” Someone sang out a three-note phrase and he began deftly improvising on it, before his segue into “Rainy Day,” and then Bill Evans and Miles Davis’ pre-modal masterpiece “Nardis.” When rainy night chased us inside, he continued with jazz-guitar pioneer Django Reinhardt’s “Nuage” (or “Cloud”), another perfect and evocative choice, “Pure Imagination” from the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and “Misty.” Though some might question the last two choices, Dameron made them work as delightful and substantial music.” - Read the entire review at kevernacular.com.