Justin Bendel, Bass

In high demand as both a performer and educator, Justin Bendel has become one of Pittsburgh’s most sought-after bassists. Equally at home as an orchestral member, pit musician, soloist, and teacher, Mr. Bendel maintains an expansive successful studio alongside his full-time career as a professional bassist. As a distinguished orchestral musician, Mr. Bendel is credited with performing with such groups as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, and Akron Symphony, to name a few. In 2011, he completed the US East Coast tour with Italian megastar, Patrizio Buanne.

With over 70 musicals to his credit, he is no stranger to the eclectic music of Broadway. He was most recently asked to reprise the role of Brother Jay (bassist) as he was invited to join the National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Previous engagements as Brother Jay include The Gateway Playhouse (Long Island), Hippodrome Theatre (Gainesville), Dutch Apple Theatre (Lancaster), and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO). Most notably, with the CLO Cabaret, he played 412 performances of Forever Plaid. In early 2020, Justin had the honor of being the requested bassist to perform for rock drummer and founder of The Police, Stewart Copeland, for his commissioned world premiere metal opera “Satan’s Fall.” Over the span of his vast career, he has shared the stage with phenomenal artists ranging from Christopher Parkening, The Moody Blues, Al Jarreau, Michael W. Smith, Jim Brickman, and the legendary Ray Charles to Tom Rocco, Elaine Stritch, and fellow Pittsburgh native Billy Porter. In December of 2021, Justin had the privilege to perform in the orchestra backing international opera superstar Andrea Bocelli at PPG Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.