Ben Sollee

Ben Sollee

Ben Sollee has spent nearly two decades blurring musical boundaries, and his career reflects a deep commitment to both artistry and community. After his last album in 2017, he took a break from touring to grow his family and deepen connections in Louisville, KY. Now a father of three, he has leaned into composing, scoring films such as LAND from director Robin Wright and Maggie Morre(s), a John Slattery film featuring Tina Fey and Jon Hamm. He also scored the podcast series Unreformed, recently nominated for a Peabody Award. Beyond music, Sollee helped launch Canopy, a nonprofit supporting Kentucky businesses that positively impact their communities and planet.

Like so many, the COVID-19 years, which Sollee refers to as “the great pause,” brought loss and grief. The deaths of his mentor Jon Rieger, his father Bob Sollee, and his longtime musical partner Jordon Ellis led to deep reflection and growth. His nearly two-year struggle with long-COVID forced him to reconsider his relationship with his body and creativity. “I realized the most radical thing you can do is to care for yourself; not in some optimized, individualistic way, but as an aspect of nature and society.” Without Ellis as his percussive keystone, Sollee felt creatively adrift but embraced it as an opportunity for growth and new collaborations. Whether composing, performing, or advocating for his community, Sollee continues to evolve, constantly arriving but never finished—on a long haul.

Host or Publisher Fairfield Theatre Company