The University of Arkansas at Monticello Homepage

Bio:

Ben Patterson, 2022, Graduate Mentor, BM-University of North Texas
For over twenty-two years, Ben was a member of 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 guest 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. In 2020, Ben launched The
Ben Patterson Group. The group’s 2021 Origin Records release, “Push the Limits,” which also featured pianist
Chris Ziemba, climbed to the JazzWeek Top 50 radio chart. Ben has arranged and written over 20 charts
published by Pro Jazz Charts. He remains in demand as a writer, arranger, clinician, and performer.