Another version of this tune from the Jam pad featring Lucian Williams on guitar and Oliver St. Ange on drums...

Tou's Sunday Jam sessions

BluBossa cmercial

4th version of Freedom Jazz dance I forgot we  recorded! Each version with a different mix of jam pad musicians,..This one features Lucian Williams on guitar, Oliver St. Ange on drums & moi on Hammond rig~

Freedom Jazz 4 - 26 - 15

Oasis

Basie In Mind

A tune I wrote in the late 70s, and recorded with the help of Clarence Wears on guitar and Pluto Shervington on bass,..Moi on KB, drums and vocals

Tape 2-Clouds

Recorded during a Sunday Jam, with Greg Minick guitar, Gary on drums, and moi on Btree rig

Wots Goin On2

A tune I've always wanted to sing, but for now just taking the 1st step in playing: Koop Island Blues with Lucian Williams, guitar and Gary Powell!, drums Enjoy <3

Koop Island Blues

A MJ tune we recorded years ago! Tom on guitar Oliver on drums and moi on Btree rig

They Don't Really Care About Us

Oliver On Drums, and Lucien on guitar and I playing some Monk

2009-03-10 0640

Mysterioso

One of my 1st Originals recorded in Miami,..and performed over in various versions Pluto Shervington on bass, guitar and bkg vocals! Me on Keyboards, drums and lead vocals!

Tape 2-FAME Whats takin U so lonng

One of my first original recordings rom my apartment in D.C. 
Published: wah music! Thanks to the musicians who helped me spill out a novelty original tune. rec. & copywrite 1973

Tosaint-Tape Transfer

Before U Marry John

On this track Ike & Valerie Woods on bgrd vocals, Joe Donato on Sax~ Ted Mc Dermitt on guitar,.. Gerald Bailey and I on percussion and moi on lead vocals and all keyboards!

Toussaint Unlimited

Time to Escape

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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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toussaintthompson.com

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