Inspired by a lifelong exposure to different religions, cultures, and people, Ben Crino, a Chicago-based Jazz guitarist, seeks to find a unifying earthy tone and melodic approach that can only be described as aggressively human. Ben is the leader of the Elisha Organ Trio, which has an upcoming full-length album produced by legendary Jazz guitarist Bobby Broom and mixed by Paul Mutzabaugh. Ben has played on numerous other albums, including Odd Family by Minor Element and Along the Way by Liz Townsend, as well as full-length concerts with hip hop/R&B vocalist Jessica Ivey and rap artist Allah and Jazz Vocalist Faith Quashie. Ben is a Jazz educator and Michigan native, and graduated with his Master of Fine Arts in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University, where he studied with Bobby Broom in spring 2024. He currently lives near Andersonville in Chicago.

Ben has been seen at many venues through the midwest, including but not limited to Clif Bells, Bells Eccentric Cafe, The Phog Lounge, The Cricket Club, The Lazy Bird, Fulton Street Collective, The Whistler, Fitzgerald’s Night Club, The Jazz Showcase, The Lemon, Andy’s Jazz Club, Clara, Cafe Mustache, Easy Does It, California Clipper, Rojo Gusano and the Hungry Brain.

Ben has also been seen at many Jazz festivals including the Detroit Jazz Festival, Michigan Jazz Festival, East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival, Old Town Jazz Festival, The Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Juneteenth Festivals, Third Coast Music fest, and the Gilmore Piano Festival. The Elisha Organ Trio is scheduled to play the Burlington Iowa Jazz Festival on July 26, 2025.

Ben also has worked on the touring Broadway Musical “Tina Turner - The Broadway Musical” and toured through Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Boise, Idaho.

Ben credits most of his musical growth to Olin Clark, Matt Landon, Andrew Renfroe and Bobby Broom.