Rich Thompson
Jazz Program (Drums)

RICH THOMPSON, drums, is a member of the Eastman School of Music faculty. He toured and recorded with The World Famous Count Basie Orchestra and was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz drum set competition. His recent recordings include Trio East "Stop-Start" and "Best-Bets" with trumpeter Clay Jenkins, bassist Jeff Campbell, "Live at Eastman" with saxophonist Rich Perry and pianist Harold Danko, and TCP’s "The Swingin'Jazz All Stars" featuring Keeter Betts, Marvin Stamm and Fred Wesley. Thompson has also performed and recorded with such extra-ordinary jazz musicians as Dizzy Gillespie, Marion McPartland, Gene Bertoncini, Clark Terry, James Williams, Harold Danko, Bill Dobbins, and Bobby McFerrin. Rich has written three drum set books published by Kendor and Advanced Music as well as being a featured writer in "Down Beat" and "Jazz Improv" magazines. As a clinician for Ludwig and Regal Tip, Rich is active each summer at Eastman's Summer Jazz workshops and at the Birch Creek Summer Jazz sessions in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.
 

Jazz Program
Jazz Program, Faculty