Ben Rudnick

Benjamin Harris Rudnick, born October 5, 1989, in New York City, is an acclaimed Jewish bagpipes player. He is most famous for his performance of God Bless America at game 4 of the 2005 Stanley Cup.

Ben Rudnick grew up in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, in suburban northern Westchester County and attended Croton-Harmon High School, where he excelled in cheerleading, chess, and chemistry. He had a janitorial internship at the high school. He now attends Vanderbilt University on a full bagpipes scholarship.

Rudnick rose to fame with his 2003 album Mom, My Bagpipes are Missing, which propelled him to the top of the traditional klezmer charts. He teamed up with Dave Matthews, Kanye West, and Celine Dion in their 2004 Hannukah album These Hannukah Candles are Trick Candles. This led him to be invited by the NHL to be the first bagpiper to perform at a major sporting event.

Since arriving at Vanderbilt in the fall of 2007, he has struggled to make friends and adapt to dorm life. His one success has been in bagpipes, where he continues to make great strides.

Rudnick is currently recording his third album with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. His second album, Cheez-its, did not break into the top 20 of the klezmer charts.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu