Thomas Marek
Thomas Marek (*1972) is an Austrian tap dancer, drummer, and choreographer, recognized as a leading figure in modern tap dance in Europe. He began tap dancing at 15, later studying with legends like Brenda Bufalino, and creating his first full-length tap show in 1994. Marek moved to Hamburg in 1999, where he became a major influence in the tap and contemporary dance scenes, producing notable works at Kampnagel theater. Since 2020, Marek has focused on integrating tap dance and drumming, and in 2024, he recorded a debut trio album that incorporates tap as a percussive instrument, set for release in early 2025.
Deeply rooted in jazz, Thomas Marek explores the possibilities of sound, phrasing, touch, and tone, pushing the boundaries of tap dance while remaining connected to its origins.
He creates new forms of expression that reflect both tap’s roots and his own cultural context, always telling new stories.
Whether performing solo, in a duo with bass or piano, or with his trio, Marek’s art is driven by the narrative power of music and dance. This holds true in large theater productions, concerts, jam sessions, or workshops—where he shines both as a tap dancer and drummer.
Sold-out theaters are a testament to Thomas Marek’s ability to bring tap dance to a wider audience through his productions, which blend tradition, individual expression, and the dynamic interplay of jazz, choreography, and improvisation. As a drummer, Marek draws inspiration from this very art form—he taps like a drummer and plays drums like a tap dancer.
Dance, Music & Theater Productions
1994
Aus Leidenschaft, Thomas Marek and Trio with Patrick Bebelaar, Bernd Settelmeyer and Kurt Holzkämper
1996
New Thing, Thomas Marek & Octet
1997
Tap & Bass, Duo with bass player Kurt Holzkämper
1999
Funked Up, Tap Dance Company, Hamburg
2003
Bebelaar & Marek, Duo with pianist Patrick Bebelaar.
2005
about_tap vol. no.1, Tanzhaus NRW, Düsseldorf
2006
about_tap vol. no. 2, Kampnagel Hamburg. Funded by Hamburger Kulturbehörde and Fonds Darstellende Künste
2009
ORCHESTRA – expansions & dimensions, Kampnagel Hamburg; funded by Hamburger Kulturbehörde and Fonds Darstellende Künste
2011
Thomas Marek & Band, Überjazz Festival, Hamburg with Lorenz Boesche, Markus Voigt, Oliver Karstens, Stefan Dahm
2012
DRAMA – love songs & other jazz, Kampnagel Hamburg; funded by Hamburger Kulturbehörde and Fonds Darstellende Künste
2015
NOLA, Kampnagel Hamburg; funded by Hamburger Kulturbehörde
2017
Tap & Bass BEATS, Internationale Jazz Tage Stuttgart
2019
Thomas Marek Quartet, Hamburg, mit Matthäus Winnitzki (piano), Tilman Oberbeck (bass), Stefan Dahm (drums)
2021
Public Parks - an audiovisual performance and sound installation, with Kurt Holzkämper. Supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media
2023
The Jazz Tap Project: Duo show with tap dancer Kurt Albert. Philipp Moosbrugger (bass), Magdalena Plattner (piano).
2024
Album recording with Thomas Marek Trio. Patrick Bebelaar (Piano), Jan Roder (bass), Thomas Marek (tap dance / drums)
The Jazz Tap Quartet with Gina Schwarz (bass), Thomas Berghammer (trumpet), Kenji Herbert (guitar), Thomas Marek (tap dance & drums)
The Monday Ride Quartet : Jazz Quartet performing weekly at Ruby Lissi, Vienna. Featuring Alexander Vounelakos (piano), Martin Melzer (bass), Sara Hoffer (Sax), Thomas Marek (drums)
Engagements
1994
Dancer with the American Tap Dance Orchestra, directed by Brenda Bufalino, NYC. Performance with the American Tap Dance Orchestra & Gregory Hines in Gainesville, Florida
1995
US-Tour with the American Tap Dance Orchestra
1996
Choreography and artistic direction of the tap dance performance ARD Sportler des Jahres 1996
1997
Engagement as Al Lewis in Neil Simons play Sonny Boys, Scala Theater Ludwigsburg
1998
Funk Attitude (Artistic direction: Leela Petronio), Paris
1999
Show "Planete Tap" by Leela Petronio. Featuring Jimmy Slyde, Sarah Petronio, Bakaari Wilder, Mark Mendonca and many more...
2002
Engagement as Jack Romano in the theatrical adaptation of Jim Jarmuschs Down By Law,Scala Theater Ludwigsburg
2005
Tap City, New York Tap Festival. Duo performance with Patrick Bebelaar and Duo with Bassist Joe Fonda.
Teaching & Festivals
- New York City Tap Festival, NYC
- Steps On Broadway, NYC
- Broadway Dance Center, NYC
- Woodpeckers, NYC
- Tel Aviv Tap Festival
- Internationale Tanztage Wien
- University Of Washington, Seattle
- Professional Tap Training, Luthier, Barcelona
- Tap Ahead Festivals, Düsseldorf
- Deer Valley International Music Festival, Taiwan
- Zürcher Theaterspektakel
- Internationale Jazztage Stuttgart
- Theaterfestival Isny
- Workshop all over Europe
- Herrang Dance Camp