Tom Skinner

Tom Skinner is a pivotal figure in the 21st-century London jazz scene, best known as a co-founder of the high-energy Sons of Kemet and the art-rock trio The Smile alongside Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood. His solo work, particularly under his own name and the moniker Hello Skinny, represents a sophisticated intersection of spiritual jazz, post-bop, and electronic-influenced production.

Skinner's sound identity is defined by a 'drummer-as-composer' approach, where polyrhythms serve as the melodic foundation rather than just accompaniment. His 2022 landmark 'Voices of Bishara' signaled a shift toward chamber-jazz arrangements, utilizing a quintet to explore themes of community and communication. Critically, he is lauded for bridging the gap between the improvisational freedom of jazz and the structural discipline of electronic and rock music. He is a primary influence on the 'new London jazz' movement, emphasizing rhythmic complexity and cross-genre collaboration.