COMPANY BACKGROUND
MASKARAID Productions, LLC (an entity consumed with the task of manufacturing music
of the utmost quality) was formed in mid 2005 by composer/producer/engineer Ben Parris to
accommodate a growing number of clientele (both national and local) interested in Ben’s
“unique” sound. Even though MASKARAID Productions, LLC has only been around for a short
time, it seems like a lifetime, as that is how long Ben has been in the music industry. Ben began
to show his interest in music early on. He began drumming at the age of two, playing for church
services and various events. At the age of twelve he was awarded a full scholarship to the
community education division of The Eastman School of Music where he studied under Ruth
Cahn. He later went on to study with Kristen Shiner McGuire at Nazareth College of Rochester.
Since then, he has had the honor of sharing the stage with artists like Jesse Norman, Fred
Wesley, Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Yolanda Adams, Donnie Gerrard, Mike Miller, Scott Wesley
Brown, Jeff Tyzic, Ron Kanoly, Robert Klein, The Berkshires Festival, The Cleveland Symphony,
and The Rochester Philharmonic.
Ben continues to enjoy his “quality” time on stage, but his heart belongs to the recording
studio. In 1999, Ben secured an Engineer’s position at The Studios at Linden Oaks, one of the
best recording facilities in the country. During this time Ben learned from session greats (such
as Mick Guzauski, Ed Cherney, Steve Gadd, Jimmy Johnson, and Mike Miller) and fueled by
inspiration from artists like Prince, Sting, Michael Jackson, Seal, Quincy Jones, BT, and Peter
Gabriel he began to develop his hidden passion for producing. He began trying out original
compositions at night and before long the studio owner caught on to Ben’s enthusiasm. He
began to trust Ben with demo projects. Demo projects became bigger ones and soon Ben was
requested to participate in, or, oversee client’s projects regularly. Outside clientele began
requesting Ben’s services and the journey began. During his short career, Ben has had the
opportunity of working on projects for James Taylor, Brittany Spears, Eminem, Missy Elliot, Lone
Star, 50 Cent, Jurassic Five, Duran Duran, The Game, Miss Congeniality 2, HBO, General
Motors, The Golf Channel, WB, and The PGA. He also secured his first Emmy award in 2004 for
his work on the show “Hitching A Ride”.Though very appreciative of his current position, Ben continued to look search for
more… for his company, the artists he was cultivating, and even the recording industry itself. In
August 2006, Ben formed nEMEsis Records. Through this moniker, Ben looks for MASKARAID
Productions, LLC/nEMEsis Records to provide a haven for artists looking to release material that
betters the Top 40 area of the industry.
