http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/2188997523

Oral history interview with Leon Thomas

The oral history interview with Leon Thomas begins with Thomas describing events from his childhood in East St. Louis, Illinois. Born in 1937, Thomas was raised in a church-going family. His father, who had been a bootlegger in Mississippi, sang in the church choir. Thomas relates a story about his father's cousin named Man Davis for the legendary life he led in Columbus, Mississippi in the 1920s. As a youngster Thomas listened to B. B. King, Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstine. He sang Little Coquette in the first talent contest he won (1954-55) while in high school, he then won 3rd prize in a contest singing on KMOX radio. He recalls meeting Nat King Cole at a fund raising show at the Y in St. Louis, Missouri; says it was a profound experience. This led to his mother unsuccessfully encouraging him to learn piano. Being musically talented and athletic, Thomas was scouted in high school to play with the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. Rather than attending summer camp, he began singing with Jimmy Forrest and Grant Green; Thomas says he always took singing for granted. Thomas explains how the voice was the first musical instrument. He explains how amplification and loud music have damaged his hearing, and that he requires his drummers to have a brush technique as does Leroy Williams. He says Mary Lou Williams warned him about loud music claiming it wasn't good for the aura; they also performed some religious music together. Thomas tells how his music has come full circle in that the message of peace he conveys through his singing now parallels the singing he did with Pharoah Sanders on the recording Karma; he now divides his work between singing a capella and with a trio. Thomas met Faye Adams while he was singing the blues at the New Arrow Club, Adams convinced him to move to New York where she introduced Thomas to Babs Gonzales. Through Gonzales Thomas met Betty Carter, Melba Liston and Mary Lou Williams, all of whom were encouraging and helpful in his career. One of his first gigs in NYC was replacing Austin Cromer at the Apollo. Billy Eckstine once referred to Thomas as the man with the four voices. In 1961 Thomas sang at John F. Kennedy's inauguration ball with the Count Basie Orchestra. Shortly afterwards, he was drafted into the Vietnam War, served six months of active duty and was discharged. Thomas then substituted for Irene Reid and O.C. Smith until he could work with the Basie Orchestra again. Thomas talks about Frank Sinatra taking over the Basie Orchestra, going on tour with the orchestra without singing until Tony Bennett intervened. From 1972-73 Thomas toured with Santana, recorded three albums, and made one video with the group. Carlos Santana dubbed Thomas the maharajah of the maracas. Thomas tells about performing with Count Basie's Band at a jazz festival in Cincinnati where he met Louis Armstrong for the first time; their second meeting was at the Grammy's in NYC. Thomas also recorded a duet with Armstrong on the album Louis Armstrong and Friends for Armstrong's 70th birthday. Thomas elaborates on his own voice and its spiritual implications in the music. Thomas concludes the interview by describing Louis Armstrong as being one of the most powerful, charismatic, beautiful, down-to-earth people he ever met. Thomas explains that the ultimate compliment was the compliment Armstrong once gave him.

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