Group Info

Contact Info:

JazHead Entertainment LLC

4520 Randolph Rd., Wheaton, MD. 20906
(301)942-3484 Fax(301)942-8192
ManOfJazz@aol.com & JazHeadPres@aol.com

Description:

The Michael Thomas Quintet is a powerful and energetic group that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz. The quintet has the unique capability to capture an audience and take them on an excursion to where “Hard-bop and Blues” swing joyfully, prayerfully, and soulfully. Now celebrating eleven years together, the group consists of members that know jazz, respect jazz, and love jazz. There is nothing “laid back” about this group.

Personnel:

Michael A. Thomas (trumpet, fluglehorn), Zach Graddy (tenor Saxophone), Kent Miller (contrabass), Frank Williams (Drums), and Darius Scott (Piano).

Festival Experience:

2008 Duke Ellington Festival, Washington , DC - Michael Thomas Quartet
2007 Paetec Jazz Festival, Baltimore. MD - Michael Thomas Quintet
2007 Duke Ellington Festival, Washington , DC - Michael Thomas Quintet
2005 East Coast Jazz Festival, Rockville . MD - Michael Thomas Quintet
2004 South Park Music Festival, Fairplay, CO - Michael Thomas Quintet
2004 East Coast Jazz Festival, Rockville . MD - Michael Thomas Quintet
2003 "U" Street Jazz Festival, Washington, DC - Michael Thomas Quintet
2002 "Keep The Arts Alive" Jazz Festival, Bowie, MD - Michael Thomas Quintet
2002 Alexandria Red Cross Waterfront Festival - Michael Thomas Quintet
2001 Arlington City Jazz Festival, Arlington, VA - Michael Thomas Quintet
1999 Bell-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Washington, DC - Michael Thomas Quintet
1998 East Coast Jazz Festival, Rockville. MD - Michael Thomas Quintet
1998 East Coast Jazz Festival, Rockville, MD - Jimmy Heath Big Band
1997 National Black Caucus Convention, Washington, DC
1997 East Coast Jazz Festival, Rockville, MD - Michael Thomas
1996 National Black Caucus Convention, Washington, DC - HR57 Jazz Ensemble
1995 & 1996 East Coast Jazz Festival, Rockville, MD - Michael Thomas Quintet/Quartet
1994 Festival Under the Apple Tree, Normandy, France - Errol Parker Tentet
1984 Osaka Jazz Festival, Osaka, Japan - Grambling State University Band

CLUB EXPERIENCE:

DC AREA: One Step Down, Blues Alley, Twins, HR-57, Café Lautrec, Kennedy Center
Chicago: Harambeee House
Philadelphia Area: Ortlieb's Jazz House, The Clef Club, Natalie's, Brett's Lounge
New York City: SOB's, Visiones, The Knitting Factory, The New Birdland, Bahai Center
Denver: Dazzle Jazz Club, El Chepultepec
Atlanta: Churchill Grounds

Internet Broadcasts:

November 30, 2003 - The Michael Thomas Quintet Live from Kennedy Center
April 3, 2002 - The Michael Thomas Quintet Live from Kennedy Center
August 2, 1999 - The Michael Thomas Quartet Live from Kennedy Center
August 9, 1999 - The Keter Betts Quintet Live from Kennedy Center

Recordings:

Michael Thomas Quintet "It Is What It Is" - JazHead Entertainment July 2006
Michael Thomas Quintet "The Awakening" - JazHead Entertainment Sept 2003.
Michael Thomas Quintet "The Messenger" - JazHead Entertainment Sept 2000.
"One of the BEST releases of 2000" - WPFW 89.3 Washington, DC