Rich Thompson
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media
Director, Jazz Lab Ensemble
ECMS Collegiate Instructor in Jazz Drumset
DEPARTMENT
CONTACT INFO
585-274-1414
BIOGRAPHY
Drummer Rich Thompson has been in demand as a top call drummer in Rochester for the past 25 years. Besides serving as the drum set instructor at the Eastman School of Music since the fall of 1996, Rich has toured, performed, and recorded with the “who’s who” of jazz greats including pianist James Williams (Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers), The Count Basie Orchestra, Tito Puente, Frank Foster, The Byron Stripling quartet, saxophonist Rich Perry, the Bill Dobbins Trio, Harold Danko, Marion McPartland, Trio East (which includes Clay Jenkins and Jeff Campbell), trumpeter Snooky Young, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, Carl Fontana, Phil Woods, Joe Pass, and a host of others too numerous to mention. The Boston Globe cited Rich as “the drummer who drove the Basie sound” when he appeared with them at the Boston Jazz and Blues Festival.
Rich has been touring this country and abroad with the Byron Stripling Quartet for the past five years. His new CD entitled “Trio Generations” was released in May of 2012 on Origin Records. It was included on the long list for two Grammys. His new CD entitled “Less is More” was recorded with trumpet sensation Terell Stafford, pianist Gary Versace, and bassist Jeff Campbell and was released in March of 2013 on Origin Records also. In 2016 Rich recorded “Have Trumpet Will Swing” w/the Bryon Stripling Quartet and in 2017 “I Believe in You” by the group Triocity was released. Triocity features multi- saxophonist/reedman Charles Pillow and bassist Jeff Campbell.
Rich performs regularly with numerous symphonies in the U.S. and Canada, the world renowned “Jazz Cruise” and clubs throughout the U.S. and Europe with the Byron Stripling quartet. His clinics and performances have taken him as far as France, Thailand, Japan, Switzerland and Newfoundland. Rich has written four drum set books published by Kendor Music USA and Advance/Schott Music-Germany. Visit Rich on his website to listen to clips or watch a video of his trio at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.
WORKS AND PUBLICATIONS
Publications
How To Play Drums In A Big Band Advance Music
Modern Jazz Solos for Drum Set Kendor Music
Jazz Drum Set Solos,Vol. I (six solos inspired by bebop masters) Kendor Music
Drum Rappings School Music News Magazine, New York (Feb.2000)
Jazz Drumming Billy Hart/Rich Thompson, Advance Music
Pro Session Ben Riley Transcription, Downbeat magazine
Recordings/CDs
Chamber Jazz Charles Pillow Ensemble (2020) Summit Records
I Believe In You Triocity w/Charles Pillow (2017) Origin Records
Have Trumpet Will Swing Byron Stripling Quartet (2016)
Mark Flugge Remembered Thompson Trio w/ Dobbins, Campbell (2015) Around Every Corner Records
Live+2 at Kilbourn Trio East (2015) Sons of Sounds Productions
For The Love Trio East (2015) Sons of Sounds Productions
Less is More Rich Thompson (2013) Origin Records
Generations Rich Thompson Trio (2012) Origin Records
Trilby The Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band (2011), Rick Holland Production
Evolution Dave Glasser (2010), Here Tiz Music
Share my Life Miles Brown Trio (2009), Brown Cats Productions
Jazz Pictures and Poems John Nyerges (2008), NBR Jazz
Bach to Bop and Back III Bill Dobbins Trio (2007), RIT Performing Artists Series
Fred Wesley & The Swing ‘N Jazz All-Stars (2006), Sons of Sound Records, NYC
Best-Bets Trio East (2006), Origin Records
Stop-Start Trio East (2005) re-release Sons of Sound Records, NYC
CrossWeave Kim Richmond / Clay Jenkins Ensemble (2004)
Campin’ Out Tom Garling Sextet (2004)
Live at the Little compilation CD with Trio East, Gene Bertoncini, others.
Dig Capitol Saxophone Quartet (2004)
Stop-Start Trio East (2003)
Classic Jazz Standards and Originals Diane Armesto, Danko(2003)
Rich Perry at Eastman Eastman Faculty Jazz Quartet plus Rich Perry (2002) Steeple Chase Records
The Question Is? Eastman Jazz Trio (Sept. 2000)
Society for Chamber Music in Rochester Chamber Jazz CD
Jeff Tyzik producer/conductor/arr. (2000)
Birch Creek Big Band 25 anniversary (2000)
RPO Holiday Pops Live II (1999)
Introducing Bobby Sneider (1998)
Time to Get Ready for Love Phil Freeman/prod. Jeff Tyzik (1998)
Various Ramon Ricker Play Along Improv Methods (95, 97, 98)
Count Basie Orchestra “Live in Milwaukee” (1997)
RPO Holiday Pops (1997)
RPO 75th Anniversary double CD (1997)
Tito Puente w/Count Basie Orchestra Jazzin (1996)
Dream Dancing Bill Grimes trio w/Frank Vincent & Rich Thompson (1996)
Barn Burner Birch Creek Faculty Big Band (1995)
Paradise the music of Billy Strayhorn, Bill Dobbins Trio (1990)
Eventually Rich Thompson/James Williams (1990)
Glass Enclosure Bill Dobbins Trio (1985)
Metaphysical Rumba Bevan Manson (1984)
Videos
The Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band WXXI SoundStage Series (2009)
Live at Birdland Count Basie Orchestra (1997)
Live in Bangkok Count Basie Orchestra, with Bennie Carter, Frank Foster, and Diane Schurr (1996)
JAZZ STUDIES & CONTEMPORARY MEDIA
