Benjamin Wright (composer)

Benjamin Wright, Jr.
Born	July 11, 1946 Greenville, Mississippi
Occupation	Musical composer, Arranger
Website	MrBenjaminWright.com

Benjamin Wright, Jr. (born July 11, 1946) is an American producer and composer.

As an arranger, he has conducted hits for many artists including Justin Timberlake, OutKast, Brandy, Destiny's Child, Dru Hill, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, James Ingram, Richard Ashcroft, Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson.

Music director and arranger Benjamin F. Wright, Jr. was born on July 11, 1946, in Greenville, Mississippi. Wright started his music career while in high school, performing as a drum major in the marching band, and singing doo-wop in a group he and his friends started. After high school, Wright embarked on his first major musical tour with big Rhythm and Blues icon, Ted Taylor. During the tour, Wright played piano and sang backup for the band. The Ted Taylor tour allowed Wright to experience music arrangement for the first time. His subsequent success within the industry took him on the road with icons like James Brown, Otis Redding, Billy Stewart and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Shortly after Wright’s touring period, he was drafted into the United States Air Force. While there, Wright met Fat’s Ford, a trumpet player who played with Duke Ellington. Ford eventually introduced Wright to the Duke — an experience that changed Wright’s life forever. After Wright’s honorable discharge from the military in Alabama, he worked for several years with Bobby Moore & the Rhythm Aces.

Wright was soon invited to play with Pieces of Peace in Chicago. He would make the move and begin career as a copyist and arranged. During this time, he attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music and received a PhD from the Pentecostal Bible College in Tuskegee, Alabama.

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