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Jo Thompson

Singer/pianist Jo Thompson, born in Detroit, Michigan, has appeared on television and in swank nightclubs that have taken her all over the world. London, Paris, Madrid, Havana, Montreal, Hollywood, Miami and New York, are only a few of the cities that have hosted her talents. She has performed in such notable nightspots as San Souci in Cuba, The Keyboard Club in Beverly Hills, California, Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe, Cafe Society, and Michael's Pub in New York. The Stork Room in London, England, and Ciro's in Miami.

Jo Thompson's successes have included such achievements as having jazz great, Lionel Hampton, present her one- woman show to benefit her late husband's scholarship fund, the Albert Dunmore Journalism Scholarship at New York's internationally acclaimed, Carnegie Hall. After performing to rave reviews at Carnegie Hall, Ms. Thompson was summoned to do her one-woman show in a "Command Performance" for the Queen, the "Queen of Soul Music," that is, Aretha Franklin! Also, after being away from the Manhattan club scene for more than 30 years, she was held over for five weeks at New York's legendary nightclub Michaels Pub. Other club successes include gaining new fans from appearances at such noted New York night spots as Eighty-Eights, The Supper Club and Tavern On The Green.

The reviews from the New York City press proved that JoThompson is a captivating and impressive talent. Stephen Holden of the New York Times wrote she has a "thumping vitality" and a "robust sense of humor." He added, "stylistically, Ms.Thompson's singing falls somewhere between the blues of Alberta Hunter and the more open- hearted rhythm and blues of Ruth Brown."

Jerry Tallmer of the New York Post stated, "It takes guts to make a comeback in New York after 30 years and Jo Thompson is obviously a lady with plenty of guts. She sings the familiar old songs and some not so familiar with force and flair. "She is a classic", concludes Roy Sander of Back Stage." "Thompson is, in a word, terrific". Amazing is another word that comes to mind.", states the New York Post's Donna Coe. 

   Summing up, "Jo Thompson takes Manhattan", New York's Amsterdam News, theatrical critic, Herb Boyd, wrote, "An evening with songstress/pianist Jo Thompson is to experience a veritable cavalcade of great entertainers. Depending on the song or her interpretation, the likes of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, Tony Bennett, Nat "King" Cole, the Mills Brothers, Nellie Lutcher or Fats Wailer are conjured." (Michael's Pub owner Gil Wiest said, "If you close your eyes when Jo Thompson is doing a WaIler tune, its as if Fats WaIler was actually at the piano. Remarkable!") Boyd concluded his review by saying, "Jo Thompson is a consummate storyteller whether standing or at the keyboard." Indeed, Jo Thompson is remarkable!

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308
Album Review

Jo Thompson: Slender, Tender and Tall

Read "Slender, Tender and Tall" reviewed by Dave Nathan


It's nice to see an old friend coming home to jazz. After building herself a considerable reputation as a jump-swing, pianist/vocalist Jo Thompson has returned after a 30 year hiatus during which she raised a family. She has lost none of the pizzazz which characterized her performances when she was one of the few jazz singers leading the Noble Sissel big band in the 1950's. This album fills a major gap in her performing history. Up to now, she never ...

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170

Performance / Tour

Black History Month: Tribute to Lena Horne at Berklee Performance Center in Boston on February 22, Featuring Jo Thompson

Black History Month: Tribute to Lena Horne at Berklee Performance Center in Boston on February 22, Featuring Jo Thompson

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Jazz musicians, dancers and professors —led by vocalist Jo Thompson—are gathering in Boston for a tribute to Lena Horne—a trailblazer in music,dance, film, human and civil rights. The event takes place on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, at the Berklee Performing Center, located at 136 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston's Back Bay. For directions click here. General admission is $10 and tickets can be ordered online. The show begins at 8:15 p.m. Along with this all-star big band concert, the tribute includes ...

163

Recording

At 82, Pianist/Singer Jo Thompson Swings Her Way to Grammy Consideration

At 82, Pianist/Singer Jo Thompson Swings Her Way to Grammy Consideration

Source: Betsyann Faiella

New York —JazzJewels Digital and pianist/singer Ms. Jo Thompson are proud to announce Ms. Thompson is in consideration for the upcoming 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. On Jo Thompson: Forever Fabulous the most beautiful, hip octogenarian you've ever seen or heard leads the J.C Heard Orchestra through fifteen cheeky gems, including an original Thompson instrumental composition, “Jumpin' With Jo." Among others, Fats Waller's “Ain't Misbehavin'" and Lieber and Stoller's perfectly apt, “I'm A Woman" are also given the treatment by Jo ...

100

Performance / Tour

Jo Thompson Makes Her Debut At New York's Blue Note Jazz Club Sunday, October 29

Jo Thompson Makes Her Debut At New York's Blue Note Jazz Club Sunday, October 29

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist and singer Ms. Jo Thompson will bring her jazzy, classic style of swing and seasoned nightclub performance skills to New York's most famous jazz club, the Blue Note located at 131 West 3rd Street, New York, NY 10012. She will be making a first time appearance on Sunday, October 29,'06 with shows at 8:00PM & 10:30PM. Backed by the JC Heard Jazz Orchestra directed by Walt Szymanski, the evening promises to be a throwback to the golden days of ...

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Performance / Tour

Jo Thompson with the J.C. Heard Orchestra Wednesday Aug. 23 at the Iridium

Jo Thompson with the J.C. Heard Orchestra Wednesday Aug. 23 at the Iridium

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121 www.iridiumjazzclub.com

NEW SET TIMES BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2006 8:30 & 10:30PM, Fri. & Sat. 3rd Sets AT MIDNIGHT

Wed., August 23, 2006

THE FABULOUS MS. JO THOMPSON WITH THE J.C. HEARD ORCHESTRA DIRECTED BY WALT SZYMANSKI

Pianist and singer Jo Thompson is center stage with the outstanding jazz swing big band, the J.C. Heard ...

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