Big Ben

Big Ben (born Venaune Ben Kandukira on 12 December 1978) is a Namibian singer, guitarist and saxophonist based in the capital Windhoek.

In 2016, he won the Best Male Artist of the Year Award at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs). He frequently sells out shows in his home country with his fusion of ethnic, urban and international sounds.

In 2013, he won the Best Jazz/Instrumentation Award at the NAMAs. In the same year, Big Ben took second place in the Last Band Standing Competition at the National Theatre of Namibia. His performance calendar has seen high-profile events and festivals such as the Windhoek Jazz Festival where he opened for South Africa's Hugh Masekela. In 2014, he performed on the biggest stages in Namibia, where he continued to share the limelight with Africa’s best, including Salif Keita, Freshlyground and Dan Shout.

Big Ben went on to win the Best Song with a Message Award at the 2015 NAMAs for his single 'Africa Penduka' and added international appearances to his roster, most notably in Manchester, UK.

Big Ben boasts seven albums since his first release in 2001. Four of these albums have received NAMA nominations for Best Album of the Year, including his latest offering, ‘Back to the Basics’, in 2016.

On the corporate circuit he has worked on O&L Group's Mwenyopaleka Roadshow, which featured the artist at 17 performances across Namibia.

Big Ben's band, known as The Last Band, comprises Pius Paulus (drums), Jean-Pierre Ntsika (bass), John Kasinda (keyboards) and Sam Batola (lead guitar). The band has further shared the stage with Johny Clegg, Will Ramsay, Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse and many others.

In the press:

"There is an edge to his music that leaves you wanting more, excited about the future, and craving another musical fix from Big Ben and his Band." – Rob Strobble, Afrikhun Pulse