Musical career spanned more than half-century
Chicago pianist Earma Thompson never really had a chance to become famous.
Emerging as a professional in the early 1940s, when few female instrumentalists attained stardom in the male-dominated world of jazz, she focused instead on honing her craft and raising her family.
But in a career spanning more than half a century -- most of it spent on the South Side -- she stood as a significant figure in the city's musical culture.
“She was rare in this field, a really historic figure," said Barry Dolins, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events, which produces the city's music festivals.
“She was there practically at the founding of modern jazz piano in Chicago, her and Lil Hardin," said Dolins, referring to a more celebrated pianist. Hardin was married to Louis Armstrong and was pivotal to his success in Chicago in the 1920s.
Mrs. Thompson, 86, died of heart failure Tuesday, July 14, in South Shore Hospital, said her son, Terrance.
Mrs. Thompson “was a great jazz player and a great blues player," said Dolins' brother Steven, who recorded Thompson's late-in-life CDs “Madam Queen" (2007) and “Just in Time" (2004) on The Sirens Records.
“Her playing was 'in the gutter,' “ said Steven Dolins, citing the down-home earthiness of Mrs. Thompson's work, “but yet she had a way of playing beautiful chords."
Chicago pianist Earma Thompson never really had a chance to become famous.
Emerging as a professional in the early 1940s, when few female instrumentalists attained stardom in the male-dominated world of jazz, she focused instead on honing her craft and raising her family.
But in a career spanning more than half a century -- most of it spent on the South Side -- she stood as a significant figure in the city's musical culture.
“She was rare in this field, a really historic figure," said Barry Dolins, deputy director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events, which produces the city's music festivals.
“She was there practically at the founding of modern jazz piano in Chicago, her and Lil Hardin," said Dolins, referring to a more celebrated pianist. Hardin was married to Louis Armstrong and was pivotal to his success in Chicago in the 1920s.
Mrs. Thompson, 86, died of heart failure Tuesday, July 14, in South Shore Hospital, said her son, Terrance.
Mrs. Thompson “was a great jazz player and a great blues player," said Dolins' brother Steven, who recorded Thompson's late-in-life CDs “Madam Queen" (2007) and “Just in Time" (2004) on The Sirens Records.
“Her playing was 'in the gutter,' “ said Steven Dolins, citing the down-home earthiness of Mrs. Thompson's work, “but yet she had a way of playing beautiful chords."
