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Brianna Thomas

Born and raised in Peoria Illinois, Brianna grew up surrounded by music. Her father, Charlie Thomas, not only influenced her with his own unique talents as a vocalist and percussionist, he created an exceptionally well-rounded musical environment that fostered Brianna’s emerging abilities.At the tender age of six, Brianna made her singing debut performing a duet rendition of the jazz classic, “What A Wonderful World” with her father. At the age of eight she won her first of thirteen trophies, all first place and overall, from various district and regional talent shows. Between the ages of eight and ten she had her first gigs performing for a variety of banquets, black tie affairs and as a guest on local radio stations. It didn’t take long for people to notice her talent and potential. Just shy of her teens, Brianna’s talents were discovered by distinguished jazz educator Mary Jo Papich. Soon after, Brianna toured Europe with the Peoria Jazz All-Stars, a big band under Ms. Papich’s direction. This was the beginning of Brianna’s career as jazz vocalist.

Brianna’s singing is deeply enriched by an understanding of the masterful voices of jazz past. Beyond a healthy serving of sass, Sarah Vaughn’s influence contributes to Brianna’s style the artistic savvy needed to communicate myriad moods and feelings as well as a keen instrumental perspective. Add to that a coyness reminiscent of Nancy Wilson, an Ella-esque skill and enthusiasm for scatting, and the stylistic breadth and vocal grandeur evocative of Dianne Reeves. Perhaps Brianna’s greatest asset is the soulfulness of her sound. Captivatingly unique, her sound moves in tones ranging from sweet invitations to assured convictions, establishing a personal and classic quality that leaves listeners swooning after her performances. Brianna’s talents have propelled her to many successes including performances at the Montreux, North Sea, and Umbria Jazz Festivals and in venues ranging from the Bahamas to Geneva, Switzerland. Brianna was a resident in both the 2001 and 2002 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Programs – an international artist-in-residence program that assembles a select group of jazz musicians to perform their original compositions at the Kennedy Center. At “Jazz Ahead” she worked with a host of premier jazz educators and performers including renowned vocalist Carmen Lundy, Winard Harper and Nathan Davis.

Brianna’s extensive list of stateside performances includes appearances with Fred Anderson, Von Freeman, Houston Person and the Barber Brothers. She has performed across the country from New Orleans to Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center. In 2001, Thomas was awarded "High School Jazz Vocalist of the Year" by Down Beat magazine. Notably, Brianna Thomas is the youngest person ever to be inducted into Peoria’s African-American Hall of Fame at the age of thirteen in 1996. She has also received a certificate of excellence from the state of Illinois in recognition of her musical accomplishments.

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Radio & Podcasts

Final Holiday Releases Plus A New Recording From Brianna Thomas

Read "Final Holiday Releases Plus A New Recording From Brianna Thomas" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast features new holiday releases from The Moore-McColl Jazz Society, Adrian Cunningham & La Lucha, Elsa Nilsson, Simone Kopmajer, Sarah McKenzie and Robert Prester & Adriana Samargia plus a new recording by Brianna Thomas, more Grammy nominees and a special birthday shoutout to Gladys Shelley (best known for penning “How Did He Look?" and “Come On Over," the theme for Palisades Amusement Park). Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this ...

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Album Review

Brianna Thomas: You Must Believe In Love

Read "You Must Believe In Love" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Brianna Thomas is the complete package. Through this music she exhibits emotional depth, to-die-for scat skills, incredible pitch control and shading, strong songwriting skills, intuitively elastic phrasing, soulful bearing, and great range. And all this on a debut album. You Must Believe In Love finds the Illinois-born, New York-based Thomas spreading her wings and taking glorious flight with some help from a strong and classy piano trio and a half-dozen notable guests--trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, guitarist Russell Malone, ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Voices

Outside in Music
2023

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You Must Believe In...

Sound On Purpose Records
2015

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Blues Till Dawn

Self Produced
2008

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