Kim Thompson - Drum Solo Artist

Kim Thompson

Kim Thompson was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2003 with a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Performance and Composition.
Kim is also a YAMAHA & ZILDJIAN signed artist.
In December 2001, while still in school, multi-Grammy nominee, Kenny Barron asked her to join him and Rufus Reid to perform at the "Havana Jazz Festival" in Cuba hosted by Chucho Valdez. Barron remembers, "I had never heard Kim play, but when I asked Ben Riley for a recommendation, the first person he suggested was Kim. We didn't have time to rehearse, but her performance blew me away." Her dynamic flair and subtle brushwork prompted Barron to include her in other settings: a commissioned piece he debuted at The Wharton Center in East Lansing, Michigan in January 2003, and performing for the opening of Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in Sep. 2003. These were some of the previous musical embarkments beginning a life of lesson, inspiration, and creative prosperity.

Kim has performed globally as well as locally in many of the NYC jazz clubs from the Stellar Blue Note, her main stomping ground The 55 Bar, to Sweet Rhythms where she just recently showcased her quintet with Wallace Roney, Tim Warfield, Mulgrew Miller, and Tarus Mateen.

CREDENTIALS-
2001 participant Stearns Institute at "Ravinia Jazz" in Chicago working with Dr. David Baker, Rufus Reid, James Moody, Nathan Davis, and Danillo Perez.
2001 Sisters in Jazz Band sponsored by the International Association of the Jazz Educators (IAJE).
2002 European tour with Grammy nominee artist Stefon Harris.
2002 Savannah Jazz Festival with her own quintet.
2003 Rufus Reid and Marian McPartland JCC Thurneur School benefit for music students and music education.
2003 First Women's Jazz Festival in Brooklyn, NY
2003 Jazz Festival at The Schonberg Center showcasing her all female quartet.
2004 Savannah Jazz Festival
2005 Mike Stern European Tour
2005 Kim Thompson Quintet Showcase

Sideman work includes: Mulgrew Miller, Wallace Roney, Terri Lynne Carrington, Jason Moran, Mike Stern, Bobby Hutcherson, Meshell N'Degeocello, Reverend Run of Run DMC, Ravi Coltrane, Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Buster Williams, Tim Warfield, Marc Carry, Tarus Mateen, James Hurt, Raymond Angry, Bobby Watson, Don Braden, John Blackwell, Bucky Pizzarelli, Hamiett Bluiett, John Hicks, Essiet Essiet, Reuben Rogers, Ron Blake, Kim Clark, Manhattan Transfer jazz vocalist Janis Segal.

Kim is also a member of New York City based rap group called, "The Real Live Show."

Kim's recording/video credits include-
"Images," The Kenny Barron Quintet
"Vibrant," Miki Hayama
Video- "Distortion" Reverend Run of Run DMC