Sep. 16--When Ben Opie gets involved in a jazz project, it will be unlike few seen around here. Count on it.

His OPEK band roams from the music of Sun Ra, whose bands inspired it, to Miles Davis. His Thoth Trio freely wanders around acoustic jazz while his Sound/Unsound Trio examines improvisation and quirky composition.

Opie, 46, was born in Akron, Ohio, but grew up in Louisiana and the Lehigh County area of Pennsylvania. He came to Pittsburgh in 1981, got a degree at Duquesne University and now teaches music technology at Carnegie Mellon University.

Opie lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife, daughter and two cats.

The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:

A younger Albert Brooks. I think there's a very minor resemblance and I appreciate his humor.

Childhood hero and why:

I was a big monster movie buff as a kid, and loved those Ray Harryhausen stop-motion animation films. I read about him, and was really impressed with the craft and detail of his work.

In five years, I'd like to:

Still have places to perform!

If the TV is on at 2 a.m., I'm watching:

"Metalocalypse" (on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim)

After a long day, I like to relax with a (pick one):

A. Martini

B. Cold beer

C. Cabernet

D. Herbal tea

E. Hot chocolate

F. Red Bull

B. Cold beer, preferably an ale such as Dogfish 60 Minute or Anderson Valley Hop Ottin'

My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:

Muenster cheese on a bagel with sprouts, lettuce, onions, tomato and honey mustard.

The oldest thing in my refrigerator is:

Mustard ... it's still good, right?

My required snack in a movie theater is:

I love popcorn! I just wish they didn't make it so salty.

When I was 10, I wanted to be:

An astronaut, which was ridiculous considering my fear of heights.

Musical instrument I wish I could play.

Ondes Martenot, an early electronic keyboard instrument

Vegetable I won't eat:

Asparagus. I don't understand how anyone can eat it without drowning it in rich, fattening sauces.

The first band I saw in concert (when and where):

Embarrass me will you ... it was Cheap Trick, with the Rockets opening, at the Allentown Fairgrounds, 1979.

Saturday mornings you'll find me:

Avoiding doing anything work-related. Don't even expect me to call or e-mail. Saturday is my down time!

Best new gadget I've tried recently.

iPod Touch ... pretty cool.

The person I'm most often mistaken for:

I was once mistaken for Christopher Cross

The most famous person I ever became friends with:

Anthony Braxton (if he counts as being at all famous)

My most recent eBay purchase:

Roberto Clemente statuette for my wife

My most treasured fashion accessory is:

The watch my wife gave me for my 40th birthday

Pick one you love or hate:

A. Stripes

B. Polka dots

C. Plaid

D. Paisley

I can do without any of those. I'm more of a Hawaiian shirt guy.

My most embarrassing junk food:

It's all embarrassing! I really shouldn't eat any of it. But if I had to choose something, I've always liked the Burger King Whopper.

My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:

Reggierri's in Squirrel Hill makes a good pie!

My favorite Web site:

Engrish.com

My most memorable fashion mistake:

That could be a long list. I had Earth Shoes when I was 14; that was pretty bad.

Pick one:

A. Emeril Lagasse

B. Paula Deen

C. Rachael Ray

D. Bobby Flay

I only like to see Bobby Flay lose on "Iron Chef America."

My favorite "bad" movie is:

Do I have to choose one? This is something of a passion of mine. "Plan 9 from Outer Space," "Robot Monster," "Lady Terminator," "The Brain That Wouldn't Die," the list goes on. Every one of them is more entertaining for me than at least 90 percent of standard Hollywood product.

My first job:

Picking strawberries

My worst job:

Picking strawberries

My favorite cable channel:

Something Weird channel in the On Demand section

Life would be better without:

People who use their cell phones (or even text message) while driving a car or riding a bike. Pull over, please!

If I could tour with any two bands, they would be:

OPEK, Thoth Trio (you know, my own bands)

People would be surprised to know that I:

I'm uncomfortable having to meet new people and be in large groups. It's something I've had to overcome, being in my line of work.

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