Home » Jazz Musicians » Sir Charles Thompson

Sir Charles Thompson

Charles Phillips Thompson, was born on 12 March 1918, in Springfield, Ohio. After starting out on violin Thompson switched to piano and was playing professionally by his mid-teenage years. During the mid- to late 30s he played with several notable territory bands in the south-west, including that led by Nat Towles. In 1940 he was briefly with Lionel Hampton's big band but preferred small group work, although he regularly wrote arrangements for musicians including Count Basie and Jimmy Dorsey.

During the 40s and 50s Thompson worked with leading jazzmen such as Lester Young (who bestowed upon him the title by which he was subsequently known), Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Rushing and Buck Clayton, the last an especially important musical associate.

Through the 60s he continued playing with Roy Eldridge, Clayton and other major artists, and also led his own groups, often switching to organ. Poor health slowed his career in the 70s but by the 80s he was back on the scene again, playing at numerous venues around the world.

A particularly effective ensemble player, Thompson's work in the Clayton bands of the mid-50s ably demonstrated his understated skills. His solos display a calm assurance, a largely unused affinity for the blues and a delicate touch on ballads. "Robbins' Nest", a jazz standard, is his composition. This is also the name of his 2000 release on which was recorded live at Chicago's Jazz Showcase. In 2001 he returned to the venue and again doing a live set, he put out “I Got Rhythm.”

Tags

728
Profile

Sir Charles Thompson

Read "Sir Charles Thompson" reviewed by Mitchell Seidel


The world of jazz is filled with royalty. Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman and Benny Carter were all dubbed “King" at one point or another, of jazz, swing and just plain, respectively. Ellington was Duke, Hines was an Earl and Basie held two titles, that of Count and King. When he was barely out of his teens, pianist Charles Phillip Thompson was dubbed “Sir." “They call me 'Sir Charles,'" he said backstage between sets during a recent gig at ...

200
Album Review

Sir Charles Thompson: Robbin's Nest

Read "Robbin's Nest" reviewed by Derek Taylor


In his youthful years during the 1940s Sir Charles Thompson was fortunate enough to be situated at ground zero for the collision between swing and bebop. High profile sessions with Charlie Parker, Illinois Jacquet, Coleman Hawkins and others ensued as well as stints with Lester Young, Roy Eldridge and Don Byas. How’s that for a resume? All this fertile activity put Thompson on the map and cemented his place in jazz history. Five decades later comes this date instigated by ...

Read more articles

Photos

Music

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.