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Leon Foster Thomas

Leon Foster Thomas is a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso. His music is a blend of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and eclectic meld all his own.

Winner of the World Steelband Music Festival’s Soloist and Duet competitions in 2002 and 2004, critics laud him as “the next big thing on his instrument”, “...an enthralling improvisor...” (All About Jazz); “...masterful with impeccable musicianship” (When Steel Talks); and “a benevolent wizard” (Venice Magazine).

Leon’s deft and ambitious command of the steel pan has transcended beyond the instrument’s novel stereotype to being featured at world stages such as New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts (Miami), Moscow International House of Music, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Perm International Jazz Festival (Russia), Miami Downtown Jazz Festival, International Festival of Contemporary Culture (Kazakhstan), and Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival. He has also worked with artists such as: Hugh Masekela, Randy Brecker, John Daversa, Sammy Figueroa, Vince Mendoza, Richard Smallwood, Ky-Mani Marley, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Dolly Parton, Igor Butman, John Beasley, and many more.

Having two well-received solo albums under his belt, his latest release, Metamorphosis, on Ropeadope Records, exemplifies his growth and maturation as a musician. Honing his in-depth talents as a musical storyteller, Leon has produced an album which perfectly illustrates his transformative journey.

Leon has a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida Memorial University and a Master of Music degree at Florida International University. He continues to perform at festivals and concerts around the world, as well as conducting lectures and master classes at various educational and cultural institutions.

Awards

2002 World Steel Band Music Festival Soloist champion 2004 World Steel Band Music Festival Duet Champion


Tags

4
Album Review

Leon Foster Thomas: Calasanitus

Read "Calasanitus" reviewed by Chris May


Born in Trinidad and in 2023 based in London, steel-pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas surprised and delighted many in the jazz world with Metamorphosis (Ropeadope, 2016). It was his third album but the first to receive widespread distribution in the US and Europe. The disc proved the steel pan to be serious and sophisticated, sitting comfortably in a lineup of otherwise standard instrumentation, and an instrument that in the right hands can be as expressive as the vibraphone, its nearest ...

9
Album Review

Leon Foster Thomas: Metamorphosis

Read "Metamorphosis" reviewed by Dave Wayne


Throughout the history of jazz, what once seemed to be oddball instruments have inexorably become part of accepted sonic landscape, while others have fallen into disuse. It's hard to believe that the vibraphone, flute, and violin were once seen as un-swinging, non-jazz instruments, while the banjo and tuba were considered essential linchpins of the jazz sound. Some instruments--both the clarinet and the tuba leap to mind--have gone fully 180 degrees from hip to obsolete and back to hip again. Others ...

14
Album Review

Leon Foster Thomas: Metamorphosis

Read "Metamorphosis" reviewed by James Nadal


Being one of the newest percussion instruments on the planet, (circa 1939) the steel pan is actually on a similar timeline with the development of modern jazz. Taking into consideration strong African influences and a hybridization process, they appear to be a natural combination. Pan Master Leon Foster Thomas has taken the instrument most associated with his homeland of Trinidad, right into the heart of jazz composition and performance with Metamorphosis, in a bold rhythmic and melodic encounter.With ...

7
Album Review

Leon Foster Thomas: Brand New Mischief

Read "Brand New Mischief" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The sound of steel pans seems to surface at beaches and poolside bars more often than jazz clubs, but that doesn't mean that these sunny-sounding metal melody makers aren't welcome or cut out for the jazz life. Steel pan trailblazers, like Jaco Pastorius-associated Othello Molineaux and jazz-meets-world music giant Andy Narell, established a place for their instrument in the jazz world a long time ago and paved the way for new and emerging pan players from future generations to join ...

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3

Recording

Steel Pan Jazz Virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas Releases Uplifting New Album 'Calasanitus'

Steel Pan Jazz Virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas Releases Uplifting New Album 'Calasanitus'

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

March 2023 marks the release of Calasanitus, the new album by Leon Foster Thomas. As one of the leading steel pan jazz virtuosos in the world, Foster has gained global recognition via a plethora of accolades including winning both the solo and duet competitions at the World Steelband Music Festival, as well as releasing a series of critically acclaimed albums, most recently Metamorphosis on respected label Ropadope Records. Now he is set to showcase his inimitable talent once again, with ...

"Through his playing, he was transformed into one of the mythical char- acters— the spirit of the pans. It’s as if when he plays, he becomes one with the steel pans before the audience’s eyes. His artistry is unrivaled. His playing style riveting. And his stage personality domi- nant. He is absolutely charm- ing and works intensely hard at his craft, both as a musician and composer, yet makes it look so effortless." - New York Amsterdam News

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Calasanitus

Krossover Jazz
2023

buy

Metamorphosis

Ropeadope
2016

buy

Brand New Mischief

Self Produced
2012

buy

I Am An Immigrant

From: Calasanitus
By Leon Foster Thomas

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