---

Michigan State University graduate student and jazz guitarist Ben Turner ended his first year as a Spartan with a flourish, including two big wins in jazz competitions sponsored by the BMI Foundation and the U.S. Army Band.

Turner, a native of Southern New Jersey, earned his bachelor’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. While at MSU in early 2022, he won the U.S. Army Blues Solo Competition in the collegiate division, and in April of this year he and jazz musician Cler Diaz were part of the first-ever tie for the BMI Foundation’s Seventh Annual BMI Future Jazz Master Award. 

An active composer and educator, Turner has taught privately and for organizations such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and the COTA Jazz Festival. When he decided to pursue a master’s degree after graduating from the highly respected jazz program at Temple, he had options. 

“I chose to study at MSU because the jazz program has a track record of producing great musicians and human beings through mentorship,” Turner said. “I was also blessed to receive a graduate assistantship that gives me the opportunity to teach and compose for student ensembles.”

At MSU, he is in the Jazz Studies program – recent winners of the national Jack Rudin Collegiate Jazz Championship – and he works as a graduate assistant under the tutelage of Associate Professor of Jazz Guitar Randy Napoleon and University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass Rodney Whitaker, director of the MSU Jazz Studies Program. For Turner, MSU is the best fit and personally, and help is available when pursuing competition opportunities.

“Prof Napoleon helped me prepare for these opportunities by helping me focus on the details within the music,” Turner said. “We didn't specifically work on this material, but the lessons I've learned so far here at MSU had an important impact on my performances and thought processes throughout these experiences.”

According to the BMI Foundation, the annual BMI Future Jazz Master Award recognizes rising jazz stars pursuing an academic degree in jazz studies. National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters serve as judges and choose winners based on talent and potential as a jazz performer and composer.

As the winner of the 2022 U.S. Army Blues Solo Competition, Turner performed with The US Army Blues on May 5 at Woodbridge High School in Virginia. He will record with the band for a performance that will stream this summer. 

In addition to these wins, Turner also traveled in February to South Africa as a semi-finalist for the 2022 Unisa International Strings Competition. He explained, “I didn't win, but I'm very grateful MSU allowed me to participate. It was a beautiful cultural and musical experience that left me feeling inspired and grateful.”

As impressive as these accomplishments are, Turner’s focus is always on the next goal. Selflessly, it is more important to him that the people who support him are proud than it is to celebrate his achievements.

“Truthfully, my mind is already onto the next goal,” he said. “It's great to have the validation of a win, but I'm still striving to be the best musician and person I can be. If anything, it feels good to make the people who have put their faith in me proud, and I hope I can continue to do that.”

While Turner is already proving himself part of the long list of jazz professionals nurtured by the MSU Jazz Studies program, the humility that Napoleon mentions shows when asked why he thinks the program thrives.

“The strong record of achievement in this program is mostly due to the efforts of the jazz faculty led by Prof Whitaker,” Turner said. “They have created a strong community in the program.”

Without doubt, Turner is a big part of that community. He is making MSU and faculty like Napoleon quite proud and excited for his future. 

“Ben is a very special musician and person. He is a fountain of creative energy, and a very sweet and humble person,” Napoleon said. “The truly exciting thing about working with Ben is the realization that he is still rapidly learning and growing. Our musical future is in good hands."