I take a very collaborative approach to composition, and I tend to write for people rather than instruments. Years of improvising spontaneously with musicians ranging from close friends to complete strangers, has introduced me to the intimacy that can be achieved through music, and that intimacy is very important to me. If you are a performer interested in commissioning a piece, get in touch.

My self-released albums of compositions and productions can be found at benwillis.bandcamp.com/

bonewater is a composition for four double basses. 

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self was composed for pianist Sonya Belaya, and was commissioned by the Detroit Composers Project.

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moved by ambition, but also by an obscure loyalty, was composed for percussionist Chris Sies. The premiere performance was hosted by ÆPEX Contemporary Performance at Trinosophes, in Detroit.

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Egret/Flatlander is a set of compositions for solo double bass. They were released as an album in 2015, and presented at the International Society of Bassists Convention New Music Summit, Curated by Mark Dresser.

Drawing on American Folk music, Balkan Rhythms, doom metal, noise, and other influences, the four movements of Egret and Flatlander can be performed straight through, or as modules for improvised performance.

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!i.ii!!i.!!ii!!i.i!!i!!i.iii!.!i!i!i!i
an improvisation structure for doom ensemble by Ben Willis


i.   !i
ii.  ii!!i
iii. !!ii!!i
iv. i!!i!!i
v.  iii!*
vi. !i!i!i!i


*there’s a movement on the ground.  my eyes go to it, and i see nothing.  all ground moves in the darkness.  there is no sky, only empty space. there is no ground, only empty space.