-biography

ben thomas

Trumpet and flugel horn player Ben Thomas has performed with a diverse range of contemporary artists from the world of jazz, pop and classical music. Recent projects have seen Ben performing with the trio "Mosaic" to large audiences at several UK Cathedrals, as well as a UK tour with legendary guitarist Jim Mullen. Ben has performed specially commissioned works by composers such as Alun Hoddinot, William Mathias and keith Tippet and has performed extensively on live television and radio with pop groups like “Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci”, gracing major concert venues and festivals throughout the UK and Europe with some of the true greats in contemporary music.

"A contemporary but classic sound" (BBC Radio Wales)

"One of the most exciting young jazz trumpet players on the scene today" (North Wales Jazz Society)

Originally from Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Ben began playing the trumpet aged seven years old. He studied jazz at the Welsh College Of Music And Drama where he received tuition from influential pianist and composer Keith Tippet as well as Julie Driscoll, Paul Dunmall, Tony Levin, Lee Goodall and Dylan Fowler plus top trumpeters such as Henry Lowther, Andy Everton and Terence Lax, to name but a few.

"Meditative and reflective......Thomas is fast establishing himself as a major player" (Midlands Press)

Through various Pop sessions and Classical projects, Ben has performed at high profile events at many prestigious venues including The Royal Festival Hall, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Notre Dame Cathedral, The St Davids Hall, The Wales Millenium Centre and The CIA in Cardiff, as well as tv and radio broadcasts for Channel 4, S4C, SKY, BBC and Radio 1,2 and 3.

"Electrifying trumpeter" (Cheltenham International Jazz Festival)

Ben has performed with some great musicians encompassing a diverse range of styles at many of the premier UK based venues and festivals including Bath International, Brecon Jazz, Cheltenham Jazz, Reading and Leeds. His many recordings have received welcome critical acclaim and worldwide coverage in magazines including "Jazz UK", "Jazzwise" and "Jazz Journal".

"Very impressive and creative" (Jazz Journal)

"A sensuous distillation of innovative composition" (Welsh Jazz Society)

In 2004, Ben formed the trio "Mosaic" together with Brian Waite (Piano) and Erika Lyons (Double bass). Performing contemporary, improvised music based on standard and original repertoire, Mosaic released their debut album "Equinox" in August 2005 and appeared before large audiences at several UK based Cathedrals including Bristol, Hereford and Worcester. More recently "Mosaic" have continued to explore the awesome acoustic offerings of these sacred buildings and have performed as a duo (Double bass and trumpet) at several Cathedral recitals and releasing their second album "Lament".

"Auspicious is the word to describe their excellent cd" (Best Of Jazz, BBC Radio 2)

"A versatile and creative threesome" (Humphrey Lyttelton, Best Of Jazz, BBC Radio 2)

recordings

2001

-The Afternoons: "The Days We Found In The Sun" (FF Vinyl)

2002

-Ben Thomas Quintet: "Free Fall" (Independent)

2003

-Ben Thomas Quartet: "Last Day" (Free Spirit)

-Various Artists: "New Jazz Wales/Volume 1" (Red Eye Music)

-The Afternoons: "My Lost City" (Dockrad)

2004

-Ben Thomas Band: "Misty" (Free Spirit)

-Ben Thomas/James Chadwick: "Blackout" (Free Spirit)

-Smokehand: "The Last Train" (FF Vinyl)

-Ben Thomas Band: "Moon Monkey" (Free Spirit)

-Ben Thomas: "Freak" (Free Spirit)

2005

-Various Artists: "International Pop Overthrow Volume 6" (IPO)

-Afternoons: "Rocket Summer" (Saturday Records)

-Pedro Brown: "Out Of The Storm" (Independent)

-Ben Thomas: "Chaos Theory" (Independent)

-Mosaic: "Equinox" (MTheart)

2006

-Blue Sky Research: "Good Fight" (Independent)

2007

-Lee Jones: "Swish" (Nimbus)

2008

-Mosaic: "Lament" (Mtheart)