Kim Thompson

[neveronfriday]

Saw her playing with Mike Stern on a TV programme over here yesterday (a short bit from 55 Bar, NY).

I'm in love.

I don't want to sound politically incorrect, but I've never heard a woman play like this.

Actually, I haven't heard anyone play that damn good in a long time.

Homepage

Has anyone seen her live and shares my enthusiam?

Edit: Oh, she plays drums.

Edit (2): From drummerworld ...

Kim Thompson is a native of Los Angeles and was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of 10, Kim was introduced to the drums by a young neighbor who was practicing on the front porch in July 1991. Receiving several awards throughout her teenage educational years she auditioned for Manhattan School of Music in 1999 and was accepted. She graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in May 2003 with a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Performance and Composition under the tutelage of John Riley. She also continued to receive private studies with noted musician Micheal Carvin.

In December 2001, multi-Grammy nominee, Kenny Barron asked her to join him and Rufus Reid to perform at the “Havana Jazz Festival” in Cuba hosted by Chucho Valdez. Barron remembers, “I had never heard Kim play, but when I asked Ben Riley for a recommendation, the first person he suggested was Kim. We didn’t have time to rehearse, but her performance blew me away.” Her dynamic flair and subtle brushwork prompted Barron to include her in other settings including a commissioned piece he debuted at The Wharton Center in East Lansing, Michigan this past January 2003, and performing with the Kenny Barron Quintet in Sep., 2003,. at Carnegie Hall.

In the summer of June 2001 Kim was selected to the Stearns Institute at “Ravinia Jazz” in Chicago where she worked with Dr. David Baker, Rufus Reid, James Moody, Nathan Davis, and Danilo Perez. In July Kim participated and toured with the 2001 Sisters in Jazz Band sponsored by the International Association of the Jazz Educators (IAJE) and featured her own quintet this past summer 2002 at the Savannah Jazz Festival. This past January 2003 she had the pleasure of joining Rufus Reid and Marian McPartland at the JCC Thurneur School as a benefit for music students, and was a part of the first Women’s Jazz Festival in Brooklyn, NY this past March 2003. She also performed with her own quartet in the March 2003 Jazz Festival held at The Schonburg Center.

Kimberly toured Europe this past winter with Grammy nominee artist Stefon Harris, performed at the Jazz Standard with The Grand Unification Theory band led by Stefon Harris this past April, and went on the road with the Kindred Band led by Stefon Harris and Jacky Terrasson. Kim has also been a sideman with jazz greats Ron Affif, Bobby Watson, Hamiett Bluiett, John Hicks, Essiet Essiet, jazz vocalist Tessa Souter at Sweet Rhythms and the R&B vocalist Michelle Carr at the famed Blue Note Club. Kim is also a member of the hip-hop band The Occasions and the New York City based rap group called, “The Real Live Show,” who she’ll travel to Europe with late October.

Kim’s recording credits include “Live at the 55Bar” with Monique Di Mattina Band, and leader Victor Simonson accompanied by saxophonist Ron Blake, and bassist Reuben Rogers. In summer, 2003, she toured with the Stefon Harris Quartet to Venice, Italy, South Africa, and Brazil. She is set to record with the Kenny Barron Quintet in Oct. 2003; a piano trio called “Triangulation,” and an all female group Kindred Spirit. She will be participating in master classes as a part of the Artist Residency program in San Francisco, CA led by Stefon Harris in late Sep. 2003.

From hers ite:

Sideman work includes: Mulgrew Miller, Wallace Roney, Terri Lynne Carrington, Jason Moran, Mike Stern, Bobby Hutcherson, Meshell N'Degeocello, Reverend Run of Run DMC, Ravi Coltrane, Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Buster Williams, Tim Warfield, Marc Carry, Tarus Mateen, James Hurt, Raymond Angry, Bobby Watson, Don Braden, John Blackwell, Bucky Pizzarelli, Hamiett Bluiett, John Hicks, Essiet Essiet, Reuben Rogers, Ron Blake, Kim Clark, Manhattan Transfer jazz vocalist Janis Segal.

Edited October 25, 2005 by neveronfriday

[king ubu]

[Alexander Hawkins]

I saw her over here in Europe last year with Kenny Barron - I hadn't picked up her name at the time, but yes, that['s her, and SHE CAN PLAY. One of the best drummers I've seen recently, without a doubt.

[kh1958]

I saw her with Mike Stern at the 55 Bar a month or so ago and was very impressed. Mr. Stern is playing very well these days, and the two of them together are electrifying.

[neveronfriday]

I saw her with Mike Stern at the 55 Bar a month or so ago and was very impressed. Mr.  Stern is playing very well these days, and the two of them together are electrifying.

←

Yeah, the rapport between the two was amazing. But she also has 100% command of her set and incredible dynamics. Wow, again.

[Soul Stream]

Yeah, I can see why you think she plays so good...

[Daniel A]

Drummer Kim Thompson with flautist Anne Drummond (also featured on the Kenny Barron album King Ubu posted above) and bassist Miriam Sullivan:

Actually I was just listening to "Images" when I happened to come across this thread!

BTW, does anyone happen to know more about where one could catch Anne Drummond live...?

Edited October 25, 2005 by Daniel A

[king ubu]

Ms Drummond played already in Barron's previous project, "Canta Brasil". I don't have any official release of theirs (yet), but I've heard/seen some radio/tv broadcasts. Very nice stuff! They did a beautiful duo (Drummond/Barron, that is), "Song for Abdullah" (dedicated to Abdullah Ibrahim, and perfectly capturing Ibrahim's soothing lyrical - yet never kitschy - side)!

[king ubu]

To derail the thread a bit further, here's a very nice photo of Anne Drummond:

© Jos L. Knaepen, 2002 (photo taken at "Jazz à Marciac" festival, Marciac, France)