Dean Endorsees - Benjamin 'Bebop' Steele

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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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