Ben Hassenger is a musician and educator, specializing in facilitating English as a Second
Language as well as creative thought and process with international students in the United States and around the world.
His musical career started in the cafeteria of Lansing (MI) Community College when he was arrested for performing a version of “Smoke on the Water” in various animal sounds.
In the early 90’s he joined the popular Lansing-area band Mystic Shake and played with them for 20 years; recording three CDs, and playing at various art fairs, festivals, and coffeehouses. (Mystic Shake disbanded in December 2010 with the move to Santa Fe of founder and percussionist Dick Rosemont.) Another musical outlet for Ben is the duo Blue Jello with songwriting partner Pat Malloy; their first CD “Life is Good” was released in the spring of 2008.
Ben also performs extensively as a solo artist on ukulele and guitar and hosts the monthly meetings of L.A.U.G.H (Lansing Area Ukulele Group), bringing the joy of the jumping flea to Michigan! He is also involved in Songwriters Anonymous, a songwriting collective based in Metro Detroit.
His songs range from the silly to the sensitive and will leave you chuckling and charmed. He has a special affinity for children and the young-at-heart of all ages and performs in schools and universities, assisted living homes, and many other types of facilities.
A very cool honor: Ben’s songs “The Corner” (an ode to Tiger Stadium in Detroit) and “Voice of Summer” (a tribute to legendary Detroit Tigers’ broadcaster Ernie Harwell) have been added to the archives of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY! You can listen to the songs in the music player below and watch “The Corner” using the video player.
