Jazz/R&B artist (flute / tenor sax) began playing music as a flutist in the Cherry Hill Elementary School Band. He attended Douglass High School and Howard University. Went on to join Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Miles Davis, and John McLaughlin bands. Thomas performed recorded with many jazz greats. Locally related record releases include albums with the Seventh Quadrant (1987-89), The Baltimore Syndicate (1989), Greg Osby “Man-Talk for Moderns” (1990 Blue Note), William Goffigan (1992), Paul Bollenback (1995 “Original Visions” recorded in Kensington, MD), Dan Gottshall (1996 “The Golden Shuffle” recorded at Omega Studios), Greg Osby (1999 “The Invisible Hand” Blue Note).
The Seventh Quadrant performed at the First Annual Maryland Jazz Festival at Oregon Ridge Park in July 1988. The band featured D.C. area guitarist Paul Bollenback, and Baltimore drummer / lawyer Billy Murphey. Other artists on his locally based recordings include Greg Osby (sax), Dennis Chambers (drums), Tim Murphy (keyboards), Charlie Covington (keyboards).
Thomas taught music and became Jazz Director for the Peabody Conservatory.
Gary Thomas selected album discography:
With Seventh Quadrant:
1987 Enja 5047 Seventh Quadrant
1988 Enja 5085 Code Violations
1989 JMT 834432 By Any Means Necessary
Gary Thomas:
1990 JMT 834439 While the Gate Is Open
1991 JMT 849151 The Kold Kage
1992 JMT 514000 Till We Have Faces
1993 JMT 514009 Exile’s Gate
1995 JMT 514024 Overkill
1996 Winter 910 002 Found on Sordid Streets
1997 Winter 910 033 Pariah’s Pariah
