Don Thompson
One of the few multi-instrumentalists who sounds virtuosic on each chosen instrument, Don Thompson has made significant musical contributions on vibes, bass, and piano. His uncanny ability to move flawlessly from instrument to instrument has made him a valued sideman on the Toronto, and international, jazz scene.
Thompson was born in Powell River, British Columbia, in 1940. By 1960, he had begun working steadily as a freelance musician, at this point, mainly on bass. In 1965, Thompson joined the now legendary John Handy Quintet and moved to San Francisco. During his tenure with the Handy band, Thompson appeared on several recordings, most notably the infamous John Handy Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
Thompson returned to Toronto in 1967, and since 1969 has been a resident there. In 1974, he became a member of guitarist Jim Hall's trio, primarily as a bassist. In 1982 he joined pianist George Shearing's band, a position he held for a five-year period. Since returning to Toronto, Thompson's lengthy musical collaborations have included work with, amongst others, Canadians Rob McConnell, Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, Lenny Breau, and Sonny Greenwich. Thompson's long list of musical associations includes performances (and often recordings) with; Paul Desmond, Milt Jackson, Art Farmer, James Moody, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Harry Edison, Frank Rosolino, Slide Hampton, Lee Konitz, Sarah Vaughan, Red Rodney, Joe Henderson, Dewey Redman, Red Mitchell, and Kenny Wheeler.
© Dan Cross /TiVo
Discography
12 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Yesterdays
John Abercrombie, Don Thompson
Jazz - Released by Cornerstone Records Inc. on Sep 23, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Witchcraft
John Abercrombie, Don Thompson
Jazz - Released by Justin Time Records Inc. on Oct 11, 1986
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Country Place
Jazz - Released by Now Again Records on Dec 5, 1975
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
At the Garden Party
Jazz - Released by Sackville on May 18, 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
One Take: Volume Three
Jazz - Released by Alma Records on Jun 19, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Canadian Sessions
Don Thompson, Ed Bickert, Gene Dinovi, Ruby Braff, Terry Clarke
Jazz - Released by Sackville on Sep 10, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Out of the Past
Don Thompson, Terry Clarke, Ed Bickert
Free Jazz & Avant-Garde - Released by Sackville on Feb 21, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Look for the Silver Lining
Jazz - Released by Triplet Records on Sep 4, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tranquility
Jazz - Released by Cornerstone Records Inc. on Dec 1, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bells... Now and Then
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Modica Music Ltd on Nov 1, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
JMOG
Don Thompson, Joe LaBarbera, Neil Swainson, Pat LaBarbera
Jazz - Released by Sackville on Dec 25, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo