Ben Kaufmann

Ben Kaufmann (born 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American double-bassist and singer for the Yonder Mountain String Band. Kaufmann was born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but spent his childhood in Stow, Massachusetts. Kaufmann first picked up the piano at the age of 3, when in sixth grade he was introduced to the bass. He didn't play the double bass until he subbed as a musician in his father's jazz big band. After responding to an ad in th... more

Ben Kaufmann (born 1975 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American double-bassist and singer for the Yonder Mountain String Band. Kaufmann was born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but spent his childhood in Stow, Massachusetts. Kaufmann first picked up the piano at the age of 3, when in sixth grade he was introduced to the bass. He didn't play the double bass until he subbed as a musician in his father's jazz big band. After responding to an ad in the newspaper for a bass player, he was drawn to Boulder, Colorado. Kaufmann then continued to develop his songwriting and singing skills after a six-month education in bluegrass. While at a club known as the Verge with Adam Aijala, Kaufmann met both Dave Johnston and Jeff Austin. Kaufmann would then go on to form the Yonder Mountain String Band with Johnston, Austin, and Aiajala in 1998. less