Ben Thomas - bandoneon and vibraphone Ben has his Doctorate of Musical Arts in percussion from the University of Washington in addition to degrees from Swarthmore College and the University of Michigan. As a long term dancer of salsa and tango, he has a desire to create music that engages both dancers and listeners. Though his primary instrument is the vibraphone, Ben has become infatuated with the bandoneon. In 2007, he went to the Academia Nacional del Tango in Buenos Aires and studied with several tango greats, including the master bandoneonist, Osvaldo Montes.
Ben has written for jazz, classical, Latin-jazz, modern dance and theater and has three CDs of original compositions available on the Origin Record label. He performs throughout the country and teaches music theory and history at Highline Community College.
Eric Rynes - violin Eric is a favorite of musicians and audiences alike, and has been hailed by critics as "intrepid," "riveting," and "formidable and foxy." He has performed as a soloist in Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Chicago, Havana, Rotterdam, San Diego, and many other places; he is also in high demand as a chamber musician. Eric has performed major symphonic works regularly since age 12, often as concertmaster; he has performed under the batons of Barenboim, Boulez, Comissiona, Slatkin, and many others. He received his M.M. in violin performance from the University of Washington, and degrees in physics from the University of Chicago and University of Illinois. Non-classical artists he has performed with include Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, Sufjan Stevens, and Alice in Chains.
Jerrod Wendland - piano Jerrod brings to his music a sensitive ear, formidable technique, and a curious mind. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, he relocated to Seattle in 2001. Since then, he has accompanied many artists in the Puget Sound area. He also, with colleagues and friends Matthew Blegen and Gary Cannon, helped to plan and develop the Annas Bay Music Festival, of which he was the Artistic Director. He hopes to support performances by exceptional artists, enrich our community, and touch people’s hearts with beautiful music.
Jeff Norwood - bass Jeff has been playing the bass since he was twelve years old. Raised on a musical diet of gospel, funk and punk rock, he has since made a career for himself as a flexible freelance bassist in almost every style imaginable. He has performed across the US and abroad, including performances at the Monterey, Earshot, North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals. Jeff has studied with Ray Brown and Buell Neidlinger and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in String Performance from the University of Washington.
Ben has his Doctorate of Musical Arts in percussion from the University of Washington in addition to degrees from Swarthmore College and the University of Michigan. As a long term dancer of salsa and tango, he has a desire to create music that engages both dancers and listeners. Though his primary instrument is the vibraphone, Ben has become infatuated with the bandoneon. In 2007, he went to the Academia Nacional del Tango in Buenos Aires and studied with several tango greats, including the master bandoneonist, Osvaldo Montes.
Eric is a favorite of musicians and audiences alike, and has been hailed by critics as "intrepid," "riveting," and "formidable and foxy." He has performed as a soloist in Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Chicago, Havana, Rotterdam, San Diego, and many other places; he is also in high demand as a chamber musician. Eric has performed major symphonic works regularly since age 12, often as concertmaster; he has performed under the batons of Barenboim, Boulez, Comissiona, Slatkin, and many others. He received his M.M. in violin performance from the University of Washington, and degrees in physics from the University of Chicago and University of Illinois. Non-classical artists he has performed with include Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, Sufjan Stevens, and Alice in Chains.
Jerrod brings to his music a sensitive ear, formidable technique, and a curious mind. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, he relocated to Seattle in 2001. Since then, he has accompanied many artists in the Puget Sound area. He also, with colleagues and friends Matthew Blegen and Gary Cannon, helped to plan and develop the Annas Bay Music Festival, of which he was the Artistic Director. He hopes to support performances by exceptional artists, enrich our community, and touch people’s hearts with beautiful music.
Jeff has been playing the bass since he was twelve years old. Raised on a musical diet of gospel, funk and punk rock, he has since made a career for himself as a flexible freelance bassist in almost every style imaginable. He has performed across the US and abroad, including performances at the Monterey, Earshot, North Sea and Montreux Jazz Festivals. Jeff has studied with Ray Brown and Buell Neidlinger and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in String Performance from the University of Washington.