Joseph Samuel Thomas (May 31, 1933 - July 26, 2017) was an American jazz flutist and occasional saxophonist.
Biography
As a child, Thomas learned to play alto and soprano saxophone, trombone, flute and piano, and also taught himself how to write music. Encouraged by his older brother, he began performing in clubs from the age of fifteen and was noticed by James Moody. After enlisting in the United States Army he received a Purple Heart during combat in the Korean War he returned to the US and performed with Specks Williams and joined Rhoda Scott's Trio in the early 1960s.
Thomas recorded with organist Jimmy McGriff and released several albums under his own name in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Discography
As leader
Speak Your Piece (Sue, 1964) Comin' Home (Cobblestone, 1968) Is the Ebony Godfather (Today, 1971) Joy of Cookin' (Groove Merchant, 1972) Moog Fluting (GRC, 1974) Masada (Groove Merchant, 1975) Feelin's from Within (Groove Merchant, 1976) Here I Come (LRC, 1977) Get in the Wind (LRC, 1978) Make Your Move (LRC, 1979) Flash (Chiaroscuro, 1980) Sweet Cocoa (51 West, 1980)
As sideman
With Rhoda Scott
Hey, Hey, Hey (Tru-Sound, 1962) Live!! at the Key Club (Tru-Sound, 1962) Live at the Olympia (Barclay, 1971) A L'Orgue Hammond Vol. 4 (Barclay, 1974) Take Five (Verve, 1991)
With others
Ambersunshower, Walter T. Smith (Gee Street/Island, 1996) Beck, The New Pollution (DGC/Bong Load, 1997) Jimmy McGriff, Stump Juice (Groove Merchant, 1975) Jimmy McGriff, The Mean Machine (Groove Merchant, 1976) Buddy Terry, Natural Soul (Prestige, 1968) Joe Tex, Rub Down (Epic, 1978)