JO THOMPSON PROVES THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
Pianist and singer, Ms. Jo Thompson proves that age “ain’t nothin’ but a number!”. At age 82, she joined the famed NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences). Her first CD was recorded and released in her 70s. Her most recent CD, “Ms. Jo Thompson: Forever Fabulous” (released on the Jazz Jewels Digital label August 7, 2010) is in consideration (in the Jazz Category) for the upcoming Grammy Awards in 2011.
She has a fascinating background. In her nightclub act, while in her hometown, Detroit, she was the first singer to perform Ron Miller’s “For Once in My Life”–which later became a pop classic recorded by Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder. During the ’50s, she made an impressive mark in show business performing in the swank but segregated clubs of Miami Beach. As an African American female, she (like performers such as Lena Horne) had to define “class and sophistication” to dispel and disprove “ugly” stereotypes that labeled Black Americans. Nevertheless, she put a smile on her face, hope in her heart and kept on entertaining.
She left the business for several decades returning to Detroit to raise a family (being a mother to 3 sons who are now all college graduates.) After the passing of her husband, she resumed her career to critical acclaim in New York City performing at such top notch venues as Michael’s Pub, Tavern on the Green, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Blue Note Jazz Club. Currently, she is doing a salute to the late great Lena Horne in a show written in 2007, titled, “Thank You Lena!!!” In it she is backed by the J.C. Heard Orchestra, directed by trumpeter, Walt Szymanski.
It will be extra-special if this “Sophisticated Lady” (as Duke Ellington would have, certainly, called her) receives a Grammy nomination. So, as Jo Thompson proves and Tony Bennett sings: “The best is yet to come and babe, won’t it be fine?”
Hope you’ll enjoy the following videos by Jo Thompson of “Gee Baby” & “I’m a Woman”:
Check out music samples from the newest CD of the Fabulous Ms. Jo Thompson on CD Baby at:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/msjothompson
Also, find out more about this amazing lady at:
www.jazzjewels.tv/jothompsonepk.html
