Episode #122 with Paul Thompson

The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast

"There was something about the instrument that always spoke to me (being a shy person) because it was like the most important instrument on stage, but not the instrument that anybody noticed. You weren't as visible as the drummer. You weren't as flashy as the guitar player. And yet everything you do on the bass affects everything else. And you're kind of steering the ship, so to speak. So I love​d the power that the bass had over the music. I loved how it combined elements of harmony like a piano player and the elements of rhythm like a drummer; I loved how the bass is always playing. Usually the bassist doesn't stop playing and those low sounds always appealed to me."

On today's episode we ​are talking all things music with bassist and music educator Paul Thompson. Paul talks about how he started his musical journey and why the Double Bass is instrument of choice. We both delve into our passion for jazz, with an emphasis on how listening to all genres is important to a​ great musical education . Paul also shares how he lives with Multiple Sclerosis and the challenges that it brings, mental wellbeing and of course, he talks about the quote that continually inspires him.

Paul Thompson has been playing bass professionally for over 30 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Performance credits include Hubert Laws, Geri Allen, Michael Feinstein, Bob James, John Pizzarelli, Phil Woods, Bob Reynolds, Dan Wilson, Sean Jones, and Billy Porter, among others. Currently, he can be seen playing around the Pittsburgh area with the THOTH Trio, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, in pit orchestras of Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Front Porch Theatricals, PCLO, and Pittsburgh Public Theatre, or performing with some of Pittsburgh's rich Jazz community.

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected].
Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!