BIOGRAPHY

Boston based trombonist Brian Thomas has been a crusader for funk, jazz, soul & reggae music in New England and beyond for over 20 years. His vibrant stage presence and distinctive funky style are on full display whenever he is on the stage. Whether he is co-leading big band funk powerhouse BT ALC Big Band , with nu-jazz sextet Duochrome, or directing the rotating cast musicians that are the BT Allstars, Brian strives to achieve his goal to deliver positive music for your mind and body that keeps your head bobbing and and your soul full.

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Brian has consistently focussed on creating and recording original music. Most recently, he released two live albums "Live at The Fallout Shelter Set 1" and "Live at The Fallout Shelter Set 2" which were both recorded on 12/30/23. These albums really capture what Brian does live and are a follow up to his debut solo album "On The Bone" released in 2023 to rave reviews. He also recently collaborated with long time friend Jared Sims to release the Duochrome  album "Sky View" . In addition to these recording projects, Brian and Alex Lee-Clark have released five albums with the mighty BT ALC Big Band, including the most recent one"Hearing The Truth" released in April of 2023. Much of Brian's early creative output can be found on the four albums released by Akashic Record. Passionate about writing, horn arranging and recording, Brian can be found in the studio collaborating with musicians all over the world and most recently has contributed to projects by many of the bands under the Vintage League Music record label led by Alan Evans.

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In addition to leading his own bands, Brian is a busy freelance musician and loves adding his artistry to his friends projects. He has performed with national touring acts such as G Love, Lettuce, Soulive, John Brown's Body, The Elovaters, Maceo Parker, Kevin Kinsella and Ryan Montbleau.  You can catch him with local New England groups including King’s Highway, DELA & Steady Rock Easy, The A-Beez, B3 Kings, The Attractors, Jesse Dee, and Pressure Cooker.  

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Teaching and sharing his musical experiences has always been something Brian is passionate about. He serves as a clinician and guest artist for schools throughout New England and believes in the power of personal connections in music making at all levels. He is on the faculty at the prestgius Foxborough Improvisation Camp, Newport Jazz Camp and maintains a private studio. Brian is currently a faculty member at Canton High School in Canton, MA where directs all of the instrumental ensembles including the Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and Pit Orchestra.

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Originally from Rochester, NY, Brian landed in Boston after living in Ithaca studying classical trombone with Harold Reynolds, jazz improvisation with Steve Brown, music education at Ithaca College and gigging with the amazing musicians in the local Ithaca scene. He gained much of his “postgraduate” music experience at Boston's legendary Wally’s Jazz Cafe co-hosting the weekly funk jam session while beginning to establish a role for himself as an artist throughout New England. Brian also has earned a masters degree in Jazz Composition from UMASS Amherst under the tutelage of genius Jeff Holmes. Brian has also had the pleasure of studying with Norman Bolter and Hal Crook.

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