Thursday Night Jazz: Bassist Paul Thompson Explores the Bass-Drum Connection with Drummers (& Best Friends) David Throckmorton, Paul Wells & Thomas Wendt

Photo Credit: David Roth. Photo Courtesy: Paul Thompson.

Iconic bassist Paul Thompson is a local legend, but he is not a monolith. As a community member, Paul understands the importance of honoring your roots and maintaining lifelong long connections. As an artist, he understands the critical role the intersection of percussion and bass provides in grounding and uplifting musical compositions.

This August, Paul and a handful of lauded percussionists—who happen to also be his best friends—celebrate the crucial bass-drum connection with special guest and Juilliard faculty member Paul Wells. 

Throughout the phases of Paul’s life, each of his friends and fellow concert performers have influenced his life and his music in unique ways. Paul Thompson and Paul Wells grew up together in Pittsburgh, where they shared not just a name, but a love for music and a path forward as future music educators. Thomas Wendt exemplified everything jazz music rooted in tradition could encompass, while David Throckmorton introduced Paul to artists like Chick Corea, who lived at the nexus of jazz fusion and possibility. 

This deeply personal program is a tribute to the community aspect of jazz, and the ways your fellow musicians and friends are also your teachers, inspiration, and lifelong influences. 

Featured musicians:

Alton Merrell: piano

Paul Thompson: bass

David Throckmorton: drums

Paul Wells: drums

Thomas Wendt: drums

About the Artist:

Paul Thompson has been playing bass professionally for over 30 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recent playing credits include Hubert Laws, Geri Allen, Michael Feinstein, and Bob James. Currently, he can be seen playing around the Pittsburgh area with Salsamba!, THOTH Trio, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, in pit orchestras at the Byham and New Hazlett Theaters, or performing with some of our city’s rich jazz community. An active educator, Paul currently teaches Jazz Bass at Duquesne University and West Virginia University and is an Adjunct Instrumental Music teacher at his alma mater, Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12 Performing Arts School. More at: http://www.youtube.com/pdbass 

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.