Research Catalog

Title

Oral history interview with Bobby Thomas.

Publication

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Smith, Warren, 1934-
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Description

2 videodiscs (110 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.

Summary

The oral history interview with Bobby Thomas begins with his childhood and early musical education in Newark, New Jersey. He began as a trumpet player but early on switched to drums. He continued his musical training in high school in Newark. From 1953-1955, he served in the United States Army where he played in the Army Band. After his military service he continued his education at the Juilliard School of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Thomas talks extensively about his career on Broadway. He met Michael Bennett while at Juilliard and later collaborated with him in developing "A Chorus Line." He also performed with Burt Bacharach. Thomas was drum teacher of jazz and rock drummer, Ben Perowsky. He also gave lessons to drummer/percussionist Alphonse Mouzon. While an active musician, Thomas also teaches percussion at various schools in the United States.

Subjects

• Perowsky, Ben > Influence
• African American college teachers
• Thomas, Bobby, 1932- > Interviews
• African American musicians
• Oral histories
• Bacharach, Burt > Promises, promises
• Drummers (Musicians) > United States > Interviews
• Jazz musicians > United States > Interviews
• Bacharach, Burt > Influence
• Percussion music (Jazz)
• Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971 > Influence
• Interviews
• Percussionists > United States > Interviews
• Bennett, Michael, 1943-1987 > Influence
• Hamlisch, Marvin > Chorus line
• Mouzon, Alphonse > Influence

Genre/Form

• Oral histories.
• Interviews.

Note

• Interviewer, Warren Smith.
• The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.

Credits (note)

• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Terms of Use (note)

• Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Biography (note)

• Bobby Thomas is a jazz drummer and teacher.

Linking Entry (note)

• Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Call Number

Sc Visual DVD-1136

OCLC

1129597950

Title

Oral history interview with Bobby Thomas.

Production

New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1994.

Country of Producing Entity

United States.

Type of Content

two-dimensional moving image

Type of Medium

video

Type of Carrier

videodisc

Digital File Characteristics

video file DVD

Credits

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Event

Recorded July 27, 1994, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Terms Of Use

Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.

Biography

Bobby Thomas is a jazz drummer and teacher.

Linking Entry

Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Connect to:

Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound

Added Author

Smith, Warren, 1934- interviewer.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.

Research Call Number

Sc Visual DVD-1136

Sc Visual VRC-307 MII videotape