Home » Jazz Musicians » Ben Patterson
Ben Patterson
Ben Patterson is one of the most easily recognizable trombonists and big band arrangers today. His fiery approach to the trombone, whether from the lead chair or solo mic, has excited listeners around the world for more than two decades.
From his early years in his hometown of Sapulpa, OK, Ben was drawn to sounds of all kinds. He had a drive to compose tunes by the age of eight. When he started trombone in 6th grade, he found his voice. Sapulpa’s excellent directors pushed him to improve and exposed him to great music. Ben continued his education at the University of North Texas, where he continued to develop his playing chops. While at UNT, Ben started a lifelong friendship with Alan Baylock, who encouraged and helped hone his composing and arranging chops.
For over twenty-two years, Ben was a member of the The Airmen of Note, where he rose to the positions of lead trombonist and music director. While with the “Note,” Ben performed hundreds of concerts and clinics all over the U.S. and abroad, recorded 16 albums (featuring many of his compositions and arrangements) worked with countless guests artists, and even entertained U.S. presidents. As the band’s musical director, Ben produced ten Jazz Heritage Series recordings with guests including such artists as Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, and Christian McBride. Ben also produced three stand-alone recordings for the Note, including “Veterans of Jazz,” “Air Power,” and “Global Reach,” which expanded the band’s repertoire with music from around the world.
In 2016, Ben launched the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra with its first recording, “Vital Frequencies featuring Chris Potter.” The band includes some of the Washington D.C. area’s top musicians and has performed at Blues Alley and for the Washington Performing Arts Society Gala. Ben also leads small groups of various formats. His latest quintet venture, “Push The Limits” will be available in 2021 on Origin Records.
In the Washington D.C. area, he has been a regular lead player and soloist with bands such as the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, and The Joe McCarthy/Vince Norman Big Band. He was also a long-time member of the popular Latin group, Sin Miedo led by Didier Prossaird.
Ben’s furious technique and rhythmic diversity come from a strong personal belief that we should never limit ourselves to the ordinary or let others define for us what is possible. He is inspired by musical risk-takers and relishes a fearless approach to music.
Read moreTags
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Mad Scientist Music
by Jack Bowers
Trombonist Ben Patterson's high-powered Jazz Orchestra from the Washington, D.C. area returns virtually intact from 2024's well-received Groove Junkies (Origin Records) with another bold and hard-hitting session that is all but guaranteed to please anyone whose musical antenna leans toward fresh and exciting big-band jazz. Its title, Mad Scientist Music, coined by Harry Schnipper, owner of the D.C. jazz club Blues Alley, is one that was readily adopted by Patterson, who agreed that his office is akin to a mad ...
Continue ReadingBen Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Mad Scientist Music
by Dan Bilawsky
"Mad Scientist Music"--the tag that Harry Schnipper, owner of venerated D.C. jazz venue Blues Alley, admiringly applied to Ben Patterson's creations--is an apt description for this trombonist's work. Synonymous with pure innovation, the titular field is all about pushing the limits, exploring the unknown, and making bold calculations before throwing caution to the wind and letting nature take its course. “I like the idea of my office where I write being a mad scientist's laboratory, a place where I'm creating ...
Continue ReadingBen Patterson: Groove Junkies
by Jack Bowers
When it comes to big-band recordings, commitment and enthusiasm can go a long way toward assuring success. Those benchmarks are fully displayed on Groove Junkies, the third album by trombonist Ben Patterson's Washington, DC-based Jazz Orchestra. While Patterson's compositions and arrangements are not exactly straight ahead--there's an ample measure of funk, back beats and electronic effects to reinforce the customary brass/winds/rhythm--they are never less than animated or intriguing. The groove is invariably up-tempo--there's nary a ballad on ...
Continue ReadingBen Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Groove Junkies
by Dan Bilawsky
Groove junkies searching for a fix need look no further. Mainlining this music--a hard-hitting big band set that satisfies as it soars--offers a serious high. With a pen and mind untrammeled by norms and expectations, and a tight crew of musical compatriots bringing stentorian sound and vision to his book, trombonist-composer Ben Patterson delivers the goods and then some. Patterson's positively electric take on saxophonist Chris Potter's well-titled “Exclamation" offers fireworks at the front end of the ...
Continue ReadingBen Patterson: The Way of the Groove
by Dan Bilawsky
Ben Patterson is well versed in the way of the groove. The veteran trombonist, best known for his lengthy stint with the Airmen of Note, uses this date to deliver some hip yet sophisticated work that leans on funky foundations, driving ambitions and glorious grit. Showcasing his impressive slide work alongside a positively electric outfit, Patterson digs deep in offering some slick and seriously smart art. The sum of those elements and efforts equals one brilliant party record that's both ...
Continue ReadingBen Patterson: Push The Limits
by Jack Bowers
It took no more than a quick Google search to find that every member of trombonist Ben Patterson's quintet is (or was) also a member of the U.S. Air Force's flagship jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note. On Push the Limits, Patterson challenges his fellow airmen to cruise through ten of his elaborate compositions and arrangements, a mission they carry out with what seems to be relative ease. In other words, the technical excellence of the group is undeniable.
Continue ReadingThe Ben Patterson Sextet: The Prowl
by Jack Bowers
This is a well-designed, swinging session of straight-ahead jazz by six world-class musicians led by trombonist Ben Patterson, a member of the U.S. Air Force's renowned ensemble, the Airmen of Note, as are trumpeter Tim Leahey and guitarist Shawn Purcell. Drummer Steve Fidyk is the timekeeper for the U.S. Army Blues, while saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk leads the Unified Jazz Ensemble whose bassist, John Pineda, rounds out the sextet.
If The Prowl proves anything, it is that there is an abundance ...
Continue Reading
Johnny Tunnard
keyboardsMusic
Quiet the Chaos
From: OblivityBy Ben Patterson
We're Back, Baby!
From: Mad Scientist MusicBy Ben Patterson
Exclamation
From: Groove JunkiesBy Ben Patterson
Anniversary Patio
From: The Way of the GrooveBy Ben Patterson
Push the Limits
From: Push The LimitsBy Ben Patterson
Similar
Greg Kelley
trumpet
