Results for "Leon Foster Thomas"

Leon Foster Thomas

Born: August 25, 1981

Leon Foster Thomas is a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso. His music is a blend of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and eclectic meld all his own.

Winner of the World Steelband Music Festival’s Soloist and Duet competitions in 2002 and 2004, critics laud him as “the next big thing on his instrument”, “...an enthralling improvisor...” (All About Jazz); “...masterful with impeccable musicianship” (When Steel Talks); and “a benevolent wizard” (Venice Magazine).

Calasanitus

By Leon Foster Thomas

Label: Krossover Jazz
Released: 2023
Track listing: I Am An Immigrant; Silent Maze; Bliss; Dance Of David; Cheers; Together; Ascension.

Sacred & Profane

by Michael Ambrosino
June 10, 2023

No sacred cows here. And the only profanity you'll hear is the jazz police complaining about so much music breaking their archaic rules. On this episode of Currents we feature Joe Chambers, Eric Reed, Bobby Sanabria, Matt Ulery, Lauren Henderson, Kendrick Scott, Joe Farnsworth, Snarky Puppy, Leon Foster Thomas, Vince Mendoza, Alvaro Rojas and Sanah Kadoura. ...

I Am An Immigrant

March 28, 2023

Album: Calasanitus
By Leon Foster Thomas
Label: Krossover Jazz
Released: 2023
Duration: 6:26

Leon Foster Thomas: Calasanitus

by Chris May
February 7, 2023

Born in Trinidad and in 2023 based in London, steel-pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas surprised and delighted many in the jazz world with Metamorphosis (Ropeadope, 2016). It was his third album but the first to receive widespread distribution in the US and Europe. The disc proved the steel pan to be serious and sophisticated, sitting comfortably ...

Metamorphosis

By Leon Foster Thomas

Label: Ropeadope
Released: 2016
Track listing: Kai-Fusion; Midnight Refrain; Gulf Of Paria; In The Corner; Delusion Of A Dream; Unknown Memory; Dubplate Swing; Take A Bow; A Whiter Shade Of Pale; Cry Of Hope.

James Nadal's Best Releases of 2016

by James Nadal
December 20, 2016

Having had the honor and pleasure to review over eighty records in 2016, choosing a dozen is a difficult task. There are featured blues and soul vocalists, which are maintaining the significance of these genres alive with the authentic talent and dedication required. Included are stimulating offerings from innovative fusion and experimental artists, as well as ...

Akinola Sennon: Cousoumeh

by Nigel Campbell
September 26, 2016

Trinidadian steelpan player and musical director of local steelband Siparia Deltones, Akinola Sennon's Cousoumeh is a mix of effective songwriting and performance and a daring leap into a new way of hearing improvised music from the Caribbean. Ropeadope Records--an increasingly important record label in the U.S.--is home to steelpan jazz artists Leon Foster Thomas ...

Leon Foster Thomas: Metamorphosis

by Dave Wayne
July 12, 2016

Throughout the history of jazz, what once seemed to be oddball instruments have inexorably become part of accepted sonic landscape, while others have fallen into disuse. It's hard to believe that the vibraphone, flute, and violin were once seen as un-swinging, non-jazz instruments, while the banjo and tuba were considered essential linchpins of the jazz sound. ...

Leon Foster Thomas: Metamorphosis

by James Nadal
July 10, 2016

Being one of the newest percussion instruments on the planet, (circa 1939) the steel pan is actually on a similar timeline with the development of modern jazz. Taking into consideration strong African influences and a hybridization process, they appear to be a natural combination. Pan Master Leon Foster Thomas has taken the instrument most associated with ...