Help Ben Jones & Laurence Hobgood Bring an Album to Life
Donation protected
Concept
We are jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer, Yamaha® artist and Grammy® winner Laurence Hobgood and award-winning actor, singer, comedian and storyteller Ben Jones.
We've been on the road a bit with a new duo project, weaving beloved songs from various genres into 75 uninterrupted minutes of vibrant, innovative interpretations.
We're thrilled to share that in April, we'll be bringing this repertoire to a world-renowned studio in Northern California to record our very first album together!
But we can't do this alone-we need your support to make it happen.
We're raising funds to cover the costs of recording, mixing, mastering, and releasing the album. Any contribution helps, and if you're unable to donate, you can still play a huge role by spreading the word.
By releasing this early material, we're aiming to secure more touring opportunities next season in order to continue developing fresh, exciting music. If you'd like to be a part of bringing this project to life, please donate today!
Thank you for believing in our music. We can't wait to share this new chapter with you!
Warmly,
Ben and Laurence
Musical styles
The album will include music from genres ranging across the Great American Songbook: Broadway, Classic Jazz, Pop, and Classic and Prog Rock
Songs
We'll record well-known and beloved songs by Billy Strayhorn, Joni Mitchell, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Adam Guettel, Carole King, and the Bee Gees
What People Are Saying About Our Live Shows
“These two critically-acclaimed musicians put on a master class with stunningly beautiful and cerebral offerings of a wide range of genres and styles.”
— BroadwayWorld
“I would never say that there’s a definitive version of the song “Lush Life,” but this version that they did was certainly up there with the greatest I have ever heard.”
— BroadwayRadio
Goal & Breakdown
Our goal is to raise $50,000, which will allow us to produce an album worthy of your support.
- Studio Time - $15,000 - We will record in April at a globally-recognized recording studio in Northern California
- Post-Production - $10,000 - Trading8s Recording Studios will edit and mix the album. Coast Mastering will master the album
- Physical & Digital Distribution - $10,000 - We will create physical CDs and LPs, and distribute the album to all streaming services independently. Licensing will be provided by EasySong
- Marketing & Promotion - $15,000 - Team members at META and various advertising agencies known by and related to the artists will collaborate to ensure maximal exposure when the album is released.
Timeline
Record - April 28-30, 2025
We’ll record for three days with Leslie Ann Jones at Skywalker Sound in California
Post-Production - Summer 2025
We’ll work with Chris Sulit at Trading 8s Recording and Michael Romanowski at Coast Mastering
Release - Fall 2025
We’ll independently release the album on CD, LP, and across streaming sites in the fall of 2025.
Exclusive Backer Rewards
Bronze Participant - $100
- A Limited Edition project recording CD or LP, autographed and personalized
- Receive a special credit listing on benjonessinger.com and laurencehobgood.com
Silver Participant - $500
- A Limited Edition project recording CD or LP, autographed and personalized
- Receive a special credit listing on benjonessinger.com and laurencehobgood.com
- Prominent Silver level credit listing on packaging and digital booklet
- Receive monthly private project update videos from Ben and Laurence
- Be the very first to hear singles from the new album and share with your friends and family before the album is officially released
Gold Participant - $1,000
- A Limited Edition project recording CD or LP, autographed and personalized
- Receive a special credit listing on benjonessinger.com and laurencehobgood.com
- Prominent Gold level credit listing on packaging and digital booklet
- Receive monthly private project update videos from Ben and Laurence
- Be the very first to hear singles from the new album and share with your friends and family before the album is officially released
- An autographed collector's vinyl test pressing
Producer Participant - $5,000
- A Limited Edition project recording CD or LP, autographed and personalized
- Receive a special credit listing on benjonessinger.com and laurencehobgood.com
- Prominent Producer level credit listing on packaging and digital booklet
- Receive monthly private project update videos from Ben and Laurence
- Be the very first to hear singles from the new album and share with your friends and family before the album is officially released
- An autographed collector's vinyl test pressing
- A private house concert at the time of your choosing to coincide with the album release
Fall and winter album release tour dates will include New York, San Antonio, San Jose and Chicago. And further tour dates will be added in the updates here as they're booked!
Co-organizers (1)
Ben Jones
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Laurence Hobgood
Co-organizer