Ben Ellman was born in L.A. and moved to New Orleans in 1989. His first musical experience in New Orleans was sitting in with Rebirth Brass Band leader Kermit Ruffins, which lead to a three year stint with the Little Rascals Brass Band. It was with the Rascals that Ben "cut his teeth" playing jazz funerals, second lines, and other booty shaking affairs. In 1991, he co-founded the New Oleans Klezmer Allstars, an eight-piece funky Yiddish ensemble which later included drummer Stanton Moore. Due to the incestuous musical community of New Orleans, Ben was a natural fill in to the rotating Galactic sax chair.