Ben Thomas: The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle

Ben Thomas' music lives in a world where tradition and innovation meet with effortless grace. Deeply rooted in the authentic rhythms of Argentine tango, yet fearlessly modern in spirit, his compositions offer a rich tapestry of layered polyrhythms, inventive melodies, and surprising contrasts—all delivered with intelligence, playfulness, and deep emotional weight.

From the very first notes, you're drawn into a musical landscape where humor and melancholy coexist, where rhythmic intricacy never sacrifices heart, and where the spirit of tango breathes freely even as the music charts new and unexpected territories. Ben creates an entire environment for his exceptional ensemble of musicians and improvisers to explore. Each piece unfolds like a journey—full of shifting moods, changing colors, and emotional discoveries.

One of Ben's remarkable gifts lies in how he sculpts textures and atmospheres, often by pairing instruments in unusual ways to create fresh tonal palettes. His ability to weave different rhythmic traditions—from playful milongas to dramatic tangos—into seamless, organic narratives speaks to a composer's mind of great maturity and mischief. In Ben's hands, transitions between contrasting moods feel so natural that the listener is transported without ever feeling the mechanics of the journey.

There is also the presence of humor throughout the album—a quality too often missing in music of this complexity. Ben's wit shows itself not only in clever rhythmic turns but in the way he leads the listener to unexpected places with a smile, balancing sophistication with human warmth.

As an accomplished percussionist who one day decided to master the voice of the bandoneon—an instrument whose expressive subtleties are notoriously demanding and I happen to know very well—Ben brings a rare articulation and fluency to his playing. His bandoneon becomes a natural extension of his musical imagination, woven seamlessly into the ensemble's fabric rather than standing apart.

Throughout the album, echoes of great maestros like Dino Saluzzi, Astor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese may surface, but always refracted through Ben's personal vision—a vision grounded in respect for tradition but unafraid to dream beyond it. The result is music that is multilayered and substantive without ever feeling heavy; music that invites the listener into a vivid, living world of emotion, intellect, and play.

This album is not merely a collection of pieces—it is an experience: a trip into the imagination of an artist who loves tradition enough to challenge it, and who understands that the true spirit of tango lies not in preservation, but in transformation.

Liner Notes copyright © 2025 Hector Del Curto.

The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle can be purchased here.

Contact Hector Del Curto at All About Jazz.
Hector Del Curto is a fourth-generation bandoneonist who's appeared on recordings with Osvaldo Pugliese, Astor Piazzolla, Paquito D'Rivera, Tito Puente, and Plácido Domingo.

Comments