Ben Hillyard (double bass), who read mathematics at Robinson College, Cambridge, is a performer and composer with a wide musical range including western classical music, jazz, rock, funk, electronica, folk and musical theatre. He co-wrote the musical Trash (in collaboration with Wes Snelling, Naomi Edwards and Megan Price), which won the Best Original Musical prize at the 2005 Melbourne Fringe Festival and received a nomination for Best Original Songs at the Green Room Awards. He was created music and sound for The Sustainables, a theatre in education show commissioned by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment.

In the UK is he busy as a performer, supporting Take That on their UK arena tour at the end of 2007. He teaches guitar, bass and music technology to secondary school students in London and is responsible for the production and engineering work on Parapar's recordings.

Apart from Parapar, Ben's projects include:

The Jezebel Sextet - super-heavy Hammond funk with powerhouse horns and a killer vintage sound. 2009 was a busy year with repeat appearances at London's Jazz Cafe and 100 Club, and The Yardbird in Birmingham as well as summer festival gigs. Currently on a studio recording binge, look out for releases later in 2010.

Annalie - a musical raconteur for a bemused millenium; Annalie's songs deliver dark stories flashed with the bright colours of her wry reflections. Debut album "The Anomaly Project" now available.

The Lost Society - wandering troubadour Joseph James sets out a mix of earthy ballads, sea shanties and melodic philosophy. Debut album due for release in early 2010.

Khiyo - another Anglo-Bengali crossover, this time featuring the voice of Sohini Alam. The repertoire is taken largely from the Bengali folk canon, filtered through a mix of blues, rock and classical influences.

Press reviews of the musical Trash:
“kicks a punch in the quality of the musical material...well-crafted songs” The Age
“tight, flawless musical arrangements” Inpress Magazine
“well-crafted and very infectious” AustralianMusicals.com.au
“well written and catchy” www.melbourneonstage.com.au