Take Twenty’s MD Ben Cox is a musician who brings a fresh, unique sound to the jazz, folk and singer songwriter scene – fast gaining a reputation for his mesmerising tone and captivating delivery.

He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the Jazz course for four years. The work and sound of vocal ensembles has always been a particular passion of his. For three years he was a member of successful vocal group Vive. Vive toured around the globe, including China, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and around the UK. They were also heavily involved in the London A Cappella festival, performing there two years in a row, and were the support act for The Real Group and Take 6. They won the Voice Festival UK choir competition back in 2013 and the Ward Swingle Award.
 
Ben is also a proficient flautist, whistle and harmonium player. He plays alongside Take Twenty’s accompanist Jonathan Taylor in popular folk band Counter’s Creek. They have recently been signed to a record label and are touring their newly recorded album My Treasured Land around the UK. Ben has also played at major Jazz festivals with his jazz quintet and played ‘sold out’ performances at the prestigious Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and the Pizza Express jazz club. He is currently musical director of three choirs in London.
 
Ben says: ‘I am absolutely delighted to be Musical Director for this brilliant choir, with a vision to take them in new directions and to develop their sound and repertoire.’
 

Jonathan Taylor – our accompanist – has been a pianist, composer and educator for thirty years, primarily in the fields of jazz and tango music. He has worked with legendary funk musicians Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley and played and recorded with many great jazz musicians including Iain Ballamy, Eddie Parker, Andy Sheppard, Gilad Atzmon, Tim Whitehead and Steve Arguelles. He studied composition at Middlesex University and has written music for large and small ensembles, contemporary dance and music education projects. He currently teaches jazz at the Guildhall School in London and is a music examiner for ABRSM.

Outside of jazz Jonathan is a founder member of the UK’s leading tango ensemble Tango Siempre and has performed with them in every kind of venue imaginable from concert halls in Europe to tiny village halls on remote Scottish islands. He co-created and toured the successful West-End show Midnight Tango featuring dancers Vincent & Flavia. Theatre work also includes Edward Scissorhands by choreographer Matthew Bourne and Blues Brother Soul Sister with soul singer Ruby Turner.

Jonathan and Ben also have a folk band, Counter’s Creek, in which they play Irish flutes and whistles. The band has recorded two albums and regularly tours the UK.