About the Artist
Jeff Thomas is a maker of fine quality concertinas. He was drawn to traditional Irish music and the sounds of the concertina as a young man and his passion for playing made him a pivotal figure in Asheville, North Carolina's early Irish traditional music scene in the late 90s. Unable to afford a high- quality instrument at the time, he grew accustomed to doing repairs on the spot. His adeptness attracted the interest of world-renown flute maker Chris Abell, who hired him to work in his shop. Since moving to Maryland in 2005, Jeff has applied the techniques learned under Abell's tutelage to the instrument with which he is most familiar. While he is committed to the physical beauty of the concertina, Jeff understands that an instrument is ultimately a tool for the musician. He's committed to producing quality instruments that will be played for a century or more.
Jeff Thomas website View Website
Artist's Statement
Each instrument finds its own voice depending on the quality of the player. Over the course of its lifetime, that instrument has the potential to be played by multiple musicians in a variety of contexts. Fine quality instruments should last hundreds of years. As a musician, I understand that my instruments perform best when they are an open conduit for the musician's style and talent. As mechanical devices, my instruments can range from loud and aggressive to quiet and subtle. Ultimately, the instrument should disappear and all that should be left is the music it makes.
