Michael Thomas Quintet will play Fri., Nov. 11 & Sat., Nov. 12 at Twins Jazz Club for 9pm & 11pm sets.
Michael Thomas (trumpet), Zach Graddy (tenor Saxophone), Darius Scott(Piano), Kent Miller (contrabass), and Frank Williams (Drums)
The GRAMMY nominated
Michael Thomas Quintet is a powerful and energetic group that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz. The quintet has the unique capability to capture an audience and take them on an excursion to where "Hard-bop and Blues" swing joyfully, prayerfully, and soulfully. The group consists of members that know jazz, respect jazz, and love jazz. There is nothing "laid back" about this group.
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael began his musical life as a thirteen-year-old trumpeter. At that time, he saw his first REAL dancing marching band on television. It was the Grambling State Tiger Marching Band! "From that time on," says Michael, "I knew that I wanted to be in that band. I had never seen anything like that before." Under the direction of Conrad Hutchinson Jr., he learned what hard work and dedication can do for a performing group like Grambling's band. Michael worked his way through the ranks, and ended his career with the band as drum-major. From all this, Michael did not awaken into jazz until late in his college career at Grambling.
Michael then met New York native Bill Saxton (Tenor MONSTER ), who introduced him to the New York scene. Thereafter, he met
Donald Harrison, Philip Harper, Errol Parker, and others. He frequented the city's jazz scenes and did whatever possible to learn more about the music. He then ventured to lead his own group in Upstate New York, plus performed regularly with Ms. Lillie Howard and
Ed Smith. Michael also spent considerable time in Philadelphia playing at various spots. "I love Phili because there is always something special in the air there. Plus, they can swing. Everyone swings in Phili !" , notes Michael. In 1993, while playing with the Errol Parker Tentet, he went to France to play in the Normandy Festival, and to do some clubs dates in Paris with Bill Saxton.
Michael left Upstate New York, in 1993, in order to move to the DC/Maryland area. Since the move, Michael has become an integral part of the DC jazz scene. In 1996, Michael was a scholarship recipient in the Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship Contest at the East Coast Jazz Festival. To date, he has played with a number of notable musicians such as
Betty Carter, Jimmy Heath, Larry Willis, Shirley Scott, Bootsie Barnes, Buck Hill, Webster Young,
Gary Bartz,
Joe Williams, and others. He hosted jam sessions at HR-57 (Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues) for three years and does jazz education seminars with Nasar Abadey. Michael is now performing with his Quintet regularly both in and out of the DC area. Michael is a regular member of Tootsie Gripper's Jazz Vespers Ensemble. The Vespers group also includes Keter Betts and Buck Hill.
Michael is continually pushing himself to grow musically, and is a fine example of what dedication can do. He always places jazz in its proper light, and feels that it is necessary to grow and nurture the music. "The music must go back into the African-American community so that the current and next generations can see what a profound art it has created," says Michael. "I love this music!"
Michael Thomas's 'Big sound and fire' makes him well suited to continue the Music the way it should be played.
Purchase Tickets Online www.TwinsJazz.com.
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