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Headed to ‘Ghostbusters' or Spielberg's 'BFG'? You're about to hear this Charlotte native

Jul 14, 2016

When you need a toot from a ghostly flute
Who ya gonna call? Ben Smolen!
If the BFG wants to dance with glee
Who ya gonna call? Ben Smolen!

Smolen and three flute-playing compadres provided swirling melodies for John Williams' music in the dream-gathering scene of "The BFG." That's also Smolen playing Theodore Shapiro's giddy tunes in "Ghostbusters," which opens nationally this weekend.

He contributed to John Ottman's grandiose score for "X-Men: Apocalypse." And if you're just catching up with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" on video, some of the flute solos on that Williams soundtrack come from the 31-year-old graduate of Myers Park High School.

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