Ben Patterson

An adventurous jazz trombonist, arranger, and bandleader, Ben Patterson first made his mark with the U.S. Air Force's touring ensemble, Airmen of Note, serving as its music director until 2020. During his two decades with the group, he frequently worked outside its confines, collaborating with composer Alan Baylock and leading his own band, the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra, on the 2016 record Vital Frequencies. After retiring from the Airmen of Note, Patterson immediately launched a solo career, leading a pair of fiery ensembles on 2021's Push the Limits and 2022's The Way of the Groove. His signature sound of rhythmically intense funk grooves and dazzling musicianship continued on 2024's Groove Junkies and 2025's Mad Scientist Music, which again featured his Jazz Orchestra.