Walter Thomas (musician)
American jazz saxophonist, flutist, and arranger (1907–1981)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Purl "Foots" Thomas (February 10, 1907 – August 26, 1981)[1] was an American saxophonist, flutist, and arranger in Cab Calloway's orchestra, one of the most famous bands of the swing era in jazz.
Walter Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Foots Thomas |
| Born | February 10, 1907 Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Origin | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | August 26, 1981 (aged 74) Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Saxophone, flute |
Early life
Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Thomas moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he played in Ed Allen's Whispering Band of Gold in the early 1920s.[2] In 1924, he recorded with Fate Marable's Society Orchestra.[3]
Career
In 1927, Thomas moved to New York City, where he played with the New Orleans pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton[4] and Joe Steele. He then joined The Missourians in 1929, just before Calloway took the band over. Among his arrangements was Calloway's 1931 hit song, "Minnie the Moocher."[5]
In 1943, he left Calloway's orchestra to work with the saxophonist and composer Don Redman. He led a 1944 recording session with sidemen including Coleman Hawkins, Hilton Jefferson, Eddie Barefield, and Jonah Jones;[6] another session that year featured Ben Webster, Budd Johnson, and Emmett Berry.[7]
During the mid-1940s he taught at a studio on West 48th Street in New York City; among his students was the hard bop alto saxophonist Jackie McLean.[8] In the 1950s he became a manager and booking agent; he worked for the Shaw Artists Corporation,[9] and for a time one of his clients was the trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie.[10]
Thomas was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996.
Personal life
Thomas's older sister was the chef and author Cleora Butler;[11] his younger brother was the alto saxophonist and songwriter Joe Thomas.[12]
Thomas lived with his wife, Marlyne, and their children in Englewood, New Jersey, near his old friend the trombonist Tyree Glenn, with whom he spent much time in retirement.[13] He died from cancer on August 26, 1981.
