Thomas was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, United States, on June 19, 1909.[2] His first band job was with the Earl Hood Orchestra. After eight months Horace Henderson offered him a job.[3] Thomas played alto sax under Hood and Henderson, but played tenor from the time he joined Stuff Smith's band in 1932.[2]
Thomas played with Jimmie Lunceford's band from 1933 until the leader's death in 1947, often soloing and occasionally singing.[2] After Lunceford died, Thomas and Ed Wilcox co-led his ghost band until Thomas left to form his own septet. This band, containing trumpeter Johnny Grimes, trombonist Dicky Harris, baritone saxophonist Ben Kynard, pianist George Rhodes, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Joe Marshall, recorded between 1949 and 1951.[2]
Thomas then left the music industry to work for his family's undertaking business.[2] He played occasionally, including at the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival, and recorded again under his own name in 1979.[2] Three years later Thomas also recorded with a septet that included Grimes, Harris, and Duvivier from his band three decades earlier.[2]
Thomas's inspirations on saxophone were Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry. As a soloist, he did not stray far from the melody and chose to emphasise rhythm.[2]Grove Music commented that "His huge and occasionally grainy tone influenced an entire generation of saxophonists in the 1940s".[2]
^ abcdefghijklmDriggs, Frank; Rye, Howard; Kernfeld, Barry (2003), Thomas, Joe [Joseph Vankert](iii), Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J447200
^Curtis, Constance; Herndon, Cholie (April 30, 1949). "Know your Boroughs Orchestra Men Talk About Show Business". The New York Amsterdam News. p. 15.
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January 01, 1970
thomas, tenor, saxophonist, songwriter, born, oklahoma, thomas, alto, saxophonist, joseph, vankert, thomas, june, 1909, august, 1986, american, jazz, tenor, saxophonist, vocalist, thomas, circa, 1947, contents, biography, playing, style, influence, discography. For the songwriter born Oklahoma see Joe Thomas alto saxophonist Joseph Vankert Thomas June 19 1909 August 3 1986 1 was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and vocalist Joe Thomas circa 1947 Contents 1 Biography 2 Playing style and influence 3 Discography 3 1 As leader 3 1 1 Singles 3 1 2 Albums 4 ReferencesBiography editThomas was born in Uniontown Pennsylvania United States on June 19 1909 2 His first band job was with the Earl Hood Orchestra After eight months Horace Henderson offered him a job 3 Thomas played alto sax under Hood and Henderson but played tenor from the time he joined Stuff Smith s band in 1932 2 Thomas played with Jimmie Lunceford s band from 1933 until the leader s death in 1947 often soloing and occasionally singing 2 After Lunceford died Thomas and Ed Wilcox co led his ghost band until Thomas left to form his own septet This band containing trumpeter Johnny Grimes trombonist Dicky Harris baritone saxophonist Ben Kynard pianist George Rhodes bassist George Duvivier and drummer Joe Marshall recorded between 1949 and 1951 2 Thomas then left the music industry to work for his family s undertaking business 2 He played occasionally including at the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival and recorded again under his own name in 1979 2 Three years later Thomas also recorded with a septet that included Grimes Harris and Duvivier from his band three decades earlier 2 Thomas died in Kansas City Missouri on August 3 1986 2 Material from his career is held by the University of Missouri Kansas City 2 Playing style and influence editThomas s inspirations on saxophone were Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry As a soloist he did not stray far from the melody and chose to emphasise rhythm 2 Grove Music commented that His huge and occasionally grainy tone influenced an entire generation of saxophonists in the 1940s 2 Discography editAs leader edit Singles edit Don t Blame Me For Boobs Only Melodisc 1945 You re Buggin Me Melodisc 1945 Harlem Hop King 1949 Blue Shadows Raw Meat King 1950 Big Foot King 1950 You re Just My Kind Buttons King 1951 Speak Your Piece I Hear Music Symbol 1964 with Bill Elliott 2 Albums edit Speak Your Piece Sue 1964 with Bill Elliott Joy Of Cookin Groove Merchant 1972 Masada Groove Merchant 1975 Feelin s From Within Groove Merchant 1976 Raw Meat Uptown 1979 Blowin in from K C Uptown 1982 co led with Jay McShann 2 References edit Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 2480 ISBN 0 85112 939 0 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Driggs Frank Rye Howard Kernfeld Barry 2003 Thomas Joe Joseph Vankert iii Grove Music Online Oxford Music Online Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 gmo 9781561592630 article J447200 Curtis Constance Herndon Cholie April 30 1949 Know your Boroughs Orchestra Men Talk About Show Business The New York Amsterdam News p 15 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joe Thomas saxophonist category Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joe Thomas tenor saxophonist amp oldid 1198776823, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
