Ben Thomas

Ben Thomas is a Seattle-based vibraphonist, percussionist, and bandoneon player known for blending tango, jazz, chamber music, and Latin jazz. He has released several albums of original compositions on Origin Records, including *The Madman’s Difference*, *The Mystagogue*, *Triskaidekaphobia*, and the 2022 album *Eternal Aporia*, which showcases his unique fusion of tango with jazz and classical influences. Inspired by his love of tango dancing and Argentine music, Thomas took up the bandoneon—a key instrument in tango ensembles—after immersing himself in the dance and music traditions. Besides leading his own projects, he co-leads TORCH, a chamber group devoted to 20th-century music and original works. Since 2005, he has also been a core member of pianist Jovino Santos Neto’s Quinteto, expanding his reach within Brazilian and Latin jazz scenes.

In addition to performing and composing, Ben Thomas is dedicated to education, serving as chair of the Music Department at Highline College in Washington, where he has taught theory and composition since 2001. His adventurous and genre-crossing approach to music has made him a distinctive figure in contemporary jazz and tango circles, known for innovative compositions that challenge traditional forms while embracing rhythmic and melodic complexity.

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