The Tangent began in 2002 as a project to record some compositions of the band's primary writer, Andy Tillison, with several members of The Flower Kings (Roine Stolt, Zoltan Csörsz, and Jonas Reingold), David Jackson [bandmember from2002-2004] and some of Andy's friends ([bandmember from=2003 to=2006]Sam Baine, Guy Manning). During that first recording, many of the musicians never met in person. After some critical acclaim, another album was recorded. This was followed by successful live performances, during which the project--which was only intended as a single-album collaboration--became a band.

Roine Stolt and Zoltan Csörsz have since left the band and been replaced by Jaime Salazar and Krister Jonsson. The Tangent is now a seven-member band spread across three countries. It continues to use technology to allow its members to collaborate despite their geographic separation and continuing commitments to other bands. The band draws more on the jazzy Canterbury style than most modern progressive rock bands.

Ex- Van Der Graaf Generator star, David Jackson was also replaced by Theo Travis (sax/flute) in 2004.

In 2008, Jaime Salazar, Zoltan Csörsz and Jonas Reingold departed and were replaced in toto by young Swedish prog band Beardfish, featuring Rikard Sjoblom (keyboards/vocals/guitar) David Zackrisson,(guitar) Magnus Ostgren(drums) and Robert Hansen (bass). Beardfish continue to perform in their own right.