Home » Music » Song of the Day

Eric's Vals by Ben Thomas (US)

From the album

Album Title: The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle
Label: Origin Records
Released: 2025

Listen

About the Album

Rooted deep in the traditional rhythms of Argentine tango, yet fearlessly modern in spirit, multi-instrumentalist Ben Thomas’ compositions offer a rich tapestry of layered polyrhythms, inventive melodies, and surprising contrasts. Echoes of great bandoneon maestros like Dino Saluzzi, Astor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese may surface, but always refracted through Ben’s personal vision and the splendid accompaniment of his longtime bandmates, clarinetist Eric Likkel and bassist Steve Schermer, along with violinists Laura Coronel and Elizabeth Phelps, and pianist Gabe Hall-Rodrigues. The album’s title celebrates the memory of Seattle’s larger-than-life French chef, Thierry Rautureau—well known as The Chef in the Hat—whose thriving bistro “LUC” served as the incubator for much of this music over Thomas’ several years of performances there. “…strong rhythmic structures, flowing tempo changes, melancholy, exuberant happiness—a beautiful tango nuevo album!” - Jazz’N’More, Switzerland

Tracks

The Promise of Morning; Sonia’s Mask; The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle; Eric’s Vals; Other Afternoons; An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective; Valley Shroud; The Second Brick.

Personnel

Reviews

The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle by Jack Bowers

Date featured

September 7, 2025

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company. It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.