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Mike Thompson

A graduate of Olathe High School, Mike Thompson attended Kansas State University and the Conservatory of Music at UMKC as a percussion major. While at UMKC he became established as a working drummer in the Kansas City area.

After college Mr. Thompson moved to San Diego, Ca. Through contacts developed there he landed the drum chair on the Tommy Banks show; a nightly television show originating from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As a member of the show band he backed such artists as Cab Calloway, Duane Eddy, Phil Everly, Jose Feliciano, Waylon Jennings, Marilyn Maye, Joe Williams, Della Reese, Kenny Rogers, Grady Tate, and many more.

A move to Los Angeles saw Mike begin a career including concerts and tours with Raquel Welch, Charo, Robert Goulet, Lou Rawls, and Jim Nabors. With Mr. Nabors he has performed with the Birmingham, Boca Raton, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Richmond, St. Louis, Toledo, and Winnepeg Symphony Orchestras. His television credits include the “Johnny Carson Show” and the “Merv Griffin Show”. He also performed on the soundtracks of “Love Boat”, “Dynasty”, “Hotel”, and “Who’s the Boss” playing drums, electronic percussion, timpani, mallets, etc. and in addition played on the soundtracks of dozens of television film and movie scores. Mike has performed and / or recorded with such artists as David Benoit, Clare Fisher, Gary Foster, Don Menza, Sam Most, Jack Sheldon, Bill Watrous, Bill Holman, and others. While in Los Angeles he also performed solo electronic percussion engagements. Joe Porcaro, LA studio percussionist and director of Percussion Institute of Technology acknowledges Mike as “one of the first guys into electronics”.

In 1993 Mr. Thompson moved back to the Kansas City area. Since his return he has performed locally with Karryn Allison, David Basse, Megan Birdsall, Bob Bowman, Joe Cartwright, Millie Edwards, Danny Embrey, Rod Fleeman, Angela Hagenbach, Russ Long, Ida McBeth, Kevin Mahogany, Greg Meise, Neon Blue, Kerry Strayer, Tim Whitmer, Rob Whitsitt, Bram Wijands, the Kansas City Symphony, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, and many others as well as backing up Tiny Tim, the Platters, the Coasters, the Drifters, Don Rickles, Peter Marshall and Florence Henderson. He has played percussion in orchestras backing John Tesh, the Moody Blues and Michael Bolton. Mike can also be heard on the following locally produced CD’s: “Coolin’ Soup” by Michael Parks, “Interpretations” by Candace Evans, “First Impression” by Millie Edwards and Greg Meise, “Chicken Chowder” by the Turpintime Ragsters, and upcoming releases from Alice Jenkins and Alan Stribling and Bustin’ Loose, a compilation of Kansas City blues bands.

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Recording

Menagery, the Debut Album by Mike Thompson with Ernie Watts

Menagery, the Debut Album by Mike Thompson with Ernie Watts

Source: All About Jazz

Menagery, the debut album by Mike Thompson with Ernie Watts, is now available for purchase online at menagerymusic.com and at cdbaby.com. The 12-track CD, a unique melding of electronics and jazz, is the product of a longtime admiration of the musical duo. Thompson first grew fond of the musical relationship after hearing John Coltrane and Elvin Jones perform in tandem. “There is a certain intimacy and spontaneity to it that you just don't get when other instruments are involved," Thompson ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Menagery

Unknown label
2005

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