Jo Thompson with the J.C. Heard Orchestra Wednesday Aug. 23 at the Iridium

NEW SET TIMES BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2006
8:30 & 10:30PM, Fri. & Sat. 3rd Sets AT MIDNIGHT

Wed., August 23, 2006

THE FABULOUS MS. JO THOMPSON WITH THE J.C. HEARD ORCHESTRA
DIRECTED BY WALT SZYMANSKI

Pianist and singer Jo Thompson is center stage with the outstanding jazz swing big band, the J.C. Heard Orchestra, directed by trumpeter Walt Szymanski.

To spend an evening with her and the big band is to experience a cavalcade of celebrated entertainers and musical styles-- Fats Waller to Nat “King" Cole and Louie Armstrong to Louie Jordan and Tony Bennett--always channeled with her distinctive charisma. A sleek and sexy 70-something, she is often described as a “piano- playing Lena Horne, a singing Hazel Scott and a combination of all of the wonderful talents of Bobby Short". Thompson was the first singer to perform the classic, “For Once in My Life" whose composer Ron Miller said, “Jo Thompson sang it first--and best!" Her impressive list of engagements has taken her all over the world from the Stork Room in England to her most recent performance at the famed Lincoln Center. A seasoned performer, who early in her career sang with the legendary Noble Sissle Orchestra, is now under the skillful direction of trumpeter Walt Szymanski (who was also hand-picked by the late/ great drummer J.C. Heard to direct his big band.)

Currently, Jo Thompson and Walt Szymanski are receiving rave reviews by recreating an era of music that is constantly gaining new fans and endearing itself to loyal ones.

“Jo Thompson is one of the last of the great female pianist and singers. She is a class act and a wonderful entertainer"--Lionel Hampton

“Thumping vitality ... robust sense of humor. Stylistically, Ms. Thompson's singing falls somewhere between the blues of Alberta Hunter and the more open-hearted rhythm and blues of Ruth Brown"--New York Times

“Singer/pianist/dynamo Jo Thompson is, in a word, terrific. Amazing is another word that comes to mind"--New York Post