Jay Thomas at Seattle Jazz Fellowship

Seattle jazz icon Jay Thomas has been on the scene since he was a teenager playing the Black and Tan on Jackson St. in 1966. Over a half century he has been been the constant in terms of setting the bar of excellence high in the Seattle jazz community. Originally a trumpeter by trade, Thomas soon began doubling on saxophone in the early seventies and has become a world class musician on both. This is a rarity in the jazz world, with Thomas becoming perhaps the most able practitioner of this unusual ability to perform on both brass and woodwind instruments. Jazz great Ira Sullivan would be another example, with Seattle’s own Floyd Standifer being another with the added skill of being a fine vocalist. Yet Thomas stands out, with his high level trumnpet skills and a droning tenor sound reminiscent of greats like Dexter Gordon and Hank Mobley. The Seattle legend is also a noted flutist to boot, often playing several instruments within the construct of a single tune. Thomas is playing at his absolute best in current times, making this a can’t miss oppotunity for Seattle jazz fans....

read more

Seattle jazz icon Jay Thomas has been on the scene since he was a teenager playing the Black and Tan on Jackson St. in 1966. Over a half century he has been been the constant in terms of setting the bar of excellence high in the Seattle jazz community. Originally a trumpeter by trade, Thomas soon began doubling on saxophone in the early seventies and has become a world class musician on both. This is a rarity in the jazz world, with Thomas becoming perhaps the most able practitioner of this unusual ability to perform on both brass and woodwind instruments. Jazz great Ira Sullivan would be another example, with Seattle’s own Floyd Standifer being another with the added skill of being a fine vocalist. Yet Thomas stands out, with his high level trumnpet skills and a droning tenor sound reminiscent of greats like Dexter Gordon and Hank Mobley. The Seattle legend is also a noted flutist to boot, often playing several instruments within the construct of a single tune. Thomas is playing at his absolute best in current times, making this a can’t miss oppotunity for Seattle jazz fans.

Update: Thomas will be in close company with longtime bandmates in pianist John Hansen, bassist Michael Glynn and drummer Jamael Nance.

show less