Thile

Thile is a surname. The name is most prominently associated with Chris Thile (born 1981), an American mandolinist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He first gained widespread attention as a member of Nickel Creek, a bluegrass-influenced trio that included Sara and Sean Watkins. After Nickel Creek, Thile formed the Punch Brothers, a project that blends bluegrass with elements of chamber music, jazz, and folk. He has released solo albums and pursued numerous collaborations, including work with Yo-Yo Ma on the Goat Rodeo Sessions, a 2011 project that brought together outstanding performers of different traditions and earned critical acclaim.

Thile is also known for performing Bach’s music on mandolin and for other classical-adjacent projects, reflecting his interest in bridging genres. His work across Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers, and his solo and collaborative projects has made him a central figure in modern acoustic and progressive roots music. He is widely regarded for technical virtuosity, inventive arrangement, and cross-genre experimentation.

The surname Thile may refer to other individuals as well, but in contemporary music contexts it is most closely associated with Chris Thile.