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Official Dean UK Guitar Endorsees... |
| Dean Musical Instruments is proud to profile those that
choose to play our instruments. Current Dean Endorsees can be found playing
their Deans' at gigs all over the world and on their latest recording sessions.
In this section we also feature rockers that just like playing Deans. So
without further ado we present to you... |
Benjamin 'Bebop' Steele Aged 11 - A Rising
Star |
Benjamin 'Bebop' Steele, Born 11th
September 1992. Benjamin has been a member of Mensa since he was 4
years old and received his first Guitar as a present from his Grandmother for
his fourth birthday.
Dad also bought a Guitar and they started having
lessons together. The following Christmas, Dad had just bought an electric for
himself and promised that if Benjamin practiced every day then Santa might
bring him his own half size electric guitar. Santa did do this and within 2
months Bebop was playing far better than Dad. A couple of months later, after
meeting Mick Sweeney, pro player for Yamaha Kemble, Benjamin was invited to the
Music Live Show (then Mad About Guitars)at the NIA to play on the Yamaha stand
which he did and has returned every year since.
Also that Autumn,
Benjamin was still 5 years old and was growing into a keen Jazz Musician, he
played his first live Jazz improvisation performance with his guitar teacher
Brian Chell and his group 'Just Friends' The following Summer of 1999 Benjamin
passed his first Grade for the RGT London College of Music Exam with Honours.
At seven Benjamin had his first Full Size Electric. He now started to play more
regularly with Just Friends at the Keele University Jazz Club nights.
In 2001 Benjamin met the Bill Lewington team for the first time on the Dean
Guitar stand at the Music Live Show at the NEC. Benjamin was hunting for his
first Jazz Archtop Guitar and tried every Archtop in the show. He found that
the nicest finish and feel for him was the Dean Stylist Deluxe this Guitar
looked felt and played better than anything up to twice its price. That Year
Jeff Berlin, the legendary Bass Player from the USA was demonstrating and
Benjamin got to Jam with Jeff which was a great thrill. We went back the next
Day and Benjamin bought himself a lovely red Dean Baby Z - because a guy
doesn't always play Jazz.
Since owning the Deans Benjamin has never
looked back and every experienced player who sees him play them, comments on
the quality of these guitars. In 2002 Benjamin achieved 99% in his grade five
exam and was presented with the RGT Larrivée Award as the most
successful student in Europe. He received a fantastic Larrivée
dreadnought acoustic as a prize. That November Benjamin met and jammed with New
York Jazz greats, Masters of Groove. Reuben Wilson, organ, Grant Green Junior,
Guitar, and the legend Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie on Drums
That year at
the Music Live Dean Stand, Benjamin met Elliot Rubinson, owner of Dean Guitars
for the first time, he has given lots of encouragement to Benjamin. Benjamin
also met and fell in love with the Dean Hardtail.
Last year Benjamin
achieved honours in his Grade 7 exam, 2003 Music Live saw Michael Angelo Batio
on the Dean stand and with some support from Elliot and the Bill Lewington
Team, Benjamin became the extremely proud owner of a beautiful Tiger Eye
Hardtail, what a superb guitar.
This Year 2004, Benjamin has 10 guitars
in the house, he has recorded his first seven track Demo Jazz CD and will be
taking his Grade 8 exam in the autumn. More Cd's will be on the way. |
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