Sounds from Monday evening

Darren Heinrich is a versatile Sydney-based organist, pianist and educator who holds a 1st class Honours degree in Jazz from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has recently completed his PhD research in Jazz Organ Improvisation. His influences incorporate the entire spectrum of the Jazz idiom, from its earliest ragtime roots to modern jazz. He regularly gigs with his own trio and freelances with a wide variety of acts both locally and abroad.

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Toussaint Thompson
Hammond Organist/Composer/Arranger/Vocalist

What makes a music legend?  Experience Toussaint Thompson and you will know.  Toussaint, a keyboardist, specializing on the Hammond B-3 organ, who is also a composer, arranger, and vocalist, weaves stories through his musical repertoire: jazz, the blues, gospel, R&B, country.  Toussaint’s music strikes a chord as he invites audiences to interpret the meaning of his musical voice, in their own way.  What results is a uniquely compelling emotional experience.  Indeed this Coconut Grove, Florida resident is in the right groove and on the right home turf, one that has been a haven of inspiration for a string of musicians: Jose Feliciano, Joni Mitchell, Fred Neil, David Crosby, and Jimmy Buffet, to name some.

Toussaint’s earliest influencers were in his Richmond, Virginia family home where a variety of music forms, including hymns, classical music, country, and R&B were present.  His father, a pastor of several churches, as well as his mother, who encouraged his father to support the purchase of Toussaint’s first B-3, embraced his musical gifts.    “I excelled at anything musical: at church, where I began directing the choir at age 12, and school.  I did club gigs when too young to be a patron,” Toussaint says.

He continued to hone his craft during college days at FAMU [Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University], where he studied marketing and music [concert piano]. Several well-known acts eyed Toussaint, including popular singing group, the Chi-Lites, who offered him a job.  However, he chose to continue his academic studies.  He also auditioned with vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Bill Withers. Melvin “Wah Wah” Ragin, then with the Montclairs, and a friend from his Richmond days, recommended Toussaint to Bill. Though he did not make the cut, there are no regrets.  “The experience motivated me to write more music,” he shares. 

That music included his composition, “90 Degrees,” co-written with Bobby Thomas, Jr., former percussionist with the Weather Report.   The piece featured Melton Mustafa [former college classmate] on solo trumpet; Melton performed with the Count Basie and Duke Ellington bands.  Toussaint had a one record deal, “Fever,” picked up by Chris 
Toussaint Thompson’s Bio, Page 2


Blackwell, founder and owner of Island Records.  Both compositions showed tremendous style diversity.  His rendition of Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa,” first popularized by Joe Henderson, and vocals on Elton John’s “Your Song,” like all pieces Toussaint performs, start with a feeling where he imagines, brainstorms, experiments, and creates his signatures. Yet he also credits other Hammond players, notably Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, and Billy Preston for style elements that he likes. 

As a master of the instrument that Jimmy Smith created a new role for in jazz, Toussaint is blazing his own trail with a growing tour schedule that extends to summer stays and bookings in Oregon.  The remainder of the year, he holds his Sunday Morning Jam sessions, performs in, and around, Miami, arranges older compositions, giving them a new and inviting sound, and has even scored original music for a documentary.  He also teaches special education in a Miami High School, using musical techniques to motivate his students to learn.  “I wouldn’t say I had the same challenges as my students when in high school, however, I wasn’t always ready to learn in the traditional manner. I meet my students where they are and use music as a catalyst.  Whether English, Math, or other subject areas, music can be integrated,” Toussaint offers.

His refusal to be stuck in one pattern is what makes Toussaint an effective teacher and a great musician.  From jazz to gospel and the blues to R&B, and country, his arrangements show range, and more.  They also demonstrate what happens when other musical sounds blend with that of the Hammond organ: an organic vibe that is unique to the B-3.


Patricia Green










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Sounds from Monday evening

Peter Geoghegan 1