Jay Thomas

[DrJ]

Only my 2nd exposure to Thomas - first was on the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra LIVE recording (Origin Records), where he plays beautifully, but is one of many bright lights. On this record, he's leader and very much front and center, backed by the Cedar Walton Trio (David Williams and Billy Higgins configuration) and a variety of other musicians.

I had no idea this CD even existed until picking it up at my local used haunt this past weekend. Honestly I got it mostly because I figured heck, with the Walton et al behind him, even if it's not too good I can dig the trio.

Well, make no mistake, Thomas is remarkable - really tasty soloist with a nice fat sound. He plays excellent trumpet and flugelhorn, which seem to be his main instruments, but also wails some nice tenor AND plays flute, pretty amazing. Some really really nice arrangements on this one - "Blue Trane" really caught my ear especially, given that it's totally rethought rhythmically, and with a trombone ensemble for backing, and Cedar Walton on electric piano (never fear, purists - he's on acoustic piano through most of the record). This sounds odd I know but what a great sound, lush and full and sonorous, really works out.

You can look at the (well-chosen) track list and read some of the glowing reviews at:

Jay Thomas Reviews

This one is HIGHLY recommended, folks. Thomas definitely ought to be much better known.

Edited December 21, 2004 by DrJ

[DrJ]

Up - sinking like a stone - maybe nobody else has been hip to Thomas either? Anyone in the NW who's seen him play live?

[jazzbo]

I only know the man from the SRO disc myself. Looks like a great cd! There is always something out there to find. Life is good!

[Brad]

I'll be picking up this up. I've never had a bad rec from Tony.

[Brad]

Tony,

Any leads on where to get this one? I've tried about 8 sites. No luck. If not, I might give one of his more recent recordings a try.

[DrJ]

Brad - I just sent you an e-mail.

[SGUD missile]

Well .. I sure as hell have heard of Jay ..in addition to being a good friend and all over MY Convergence Zone CD he's on many other NW jazz projects as well ..including mant of his own!

In fact, his solo on Joe LaBarberas' beautiful tribute to Conte Condoli "Bella Luce" is the real reason my arrangement got a Grammy nod ( that and Joes haunting song ) You can check out a partial clip of it on my website:

www.philkellymusic.com

Other than his well deserved fame in the pacific NW, he is also a jazz star in Japan , visiting there several times a year.

and yes, he is also very proficient on saxes and flute as well ..a real Ira Sullivan for the 21st century ..( although I prefer Jays trumpet approach WAY over Iras ..)

[Chuck Nessa]

  SGUD missile said:

..although I prefer Jays trumpet approach WAY over Iras.

Silly boy.

[JSngry]

I dug him on Murphy Brown.

[GregK]

sorry, I thought this was the guy who played one of Carla's husbands on Cheers

[JSngry]

Same guy. He was on Murphy Brown too.

[alankin]

I have an extra copy available for $9.50 postpaid (in U.S.) if anyone's interested. [salelist.Jazzmatazz.info]

[robviti]

you can purchase six of thomas's cds directly from the artist on his website. here's the link: jaythomasjazz. just click on "recordings" and choose from the titles on the left. unfortunately, the discovery disc is not one of the cds he has for sale. to get a used copy of that disc for between $5.75 to $8, go to: amazon

Edited December 22, 2004 by jazzshrink