About the Artist
Michael Thomas (Las Vegas, NV) a multi-faceted performer, attended Grambling State University where he majored in music performance. Michael‘s interest in Jazz developed in the latter years at Grambling and really came into fruition when he moved to New York State. While in New York, he met Bill Saxton and Hugh Brodie, who were both instrumental in his development process in terms of encouragement and advice. Michael relocated to the DC area, where he has become an ardent participant on the DC’s jazz scene. To date, he has played with a number of notable musicians such as Betty Carter, Jimmy Heath, Larry Willis, Shirley Scott, Slide Hampton, Buck Hill, Webster Young, Gary Bartz, Joe Williams, and others. Currently, The Michael Thomas Quintet performs regularly both in and out of the DC area.
Michael is an alumni of The World Famous Count Basie Orchestra. His travels also include Russia as a featured
performer. Michael currently records for his own label, JazHead Entertainment LLC, with his Quintet. Six CDs have been produced for the Quintet. The CDs ("Live At TWINS JAZZ – vol. I & II") feature the incredible past master saxophonist Mr. Andrew White. “Vol. II” has the received First Round GRAMMY nomination. The QUINTET is now celebrating an incredible TWENTY-EIGHT years together with a new CD (“25”).
Michael's work continually exemplifies his commitment to strengthen community relationships. He is continually pushing himself to grow musically and is a fine example of what hard work and dedication can do. His love for the art 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.”
