"I had the opportunity to make music with Ted on the Emeril Live! show, says smooth jazz superstar sax man Dave Koz. The show is only an hour long but the grooves were so funky, I found myself wishing Emeril would continue cooking for another 20 hours! Ted has an incredibly unique and captivating approach to his playing. He brought a whole new energy to my music. I can’t wait for the next opportunity!" Drummer/ Producer/ Composer Ted Thomas, Jr. is a musician who’s not just talented - he’s gifted.
This Portsmouth Virginia native hails from a family of gospel musicians that date back three generations. Ted’s mother, Mrs. Charletta Thomas recalls, "From the time Ted was 18 months, he recognized the beat of music. He would beat on the table until me and his father purchase a set of drums at age 2. He played them continually and we knew long before he started playing drums with the choirs at age 7, that he wouldn’t stop until he became a professional drummer/percussionist. As his maternal grandfather played organ, piano, guitar, and trumpet, his maternal grandmother was a songstress, his paternal grandmother was a pianist and songstress, and his father, Bishop Ted Thomas, Sr. played piano and organ, we didn‘t think it strange at all that Ted was constantly playing piano, organ and of course, drums. He‘s the best drummer his home church (the New Community Church of God in Christ, in Portsmouth, Virginia were Ted’s father is pastor) ever had and is credited with molding and influencing many drummers who came through our church. My prayer for Ted is for him to continue to put God first!" Ted has five brothers, four of which are also great musicians. They are Christopher (Keyboards), Marc (Bass), Charles (Keys and Drums), and Ruben (Vocals). Ted’s only brother not involved in music, Jonathan, is a financial analyst.
After completing high school and a year of college at Norfolk State University, Ted left Virginia and relocated to Detroit, Michigan. Ted’s first recording after landing in Detroit was the critically acclaimed solo gem by Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark ( of the famed gospel group, the Clark Sisters) entitled "Power!" James Attlee, a freelance writer and assistant editor of Gospel Music Magazine writes in World Music: The Rough Guide book, "The creative heart of the Clark Sisters in rare solo mode. This hard-to-find mid- 80’s album is perhaps the most original and moving compositional gospel work of the past decade!" While doing another gospel recording, this time with the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Ted met Detroit R&B celebrity Orthea Barnes, who asked Ted to join her group. Playing with Barnes position Ted to be heard on a weekly by the entire Detroit music community. After 2 years with Barnes, Ted took off with the touring company of the off-Broadway musical hit "Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God" featuring Broadway star Jennifer Holliday, and later R & B legend Patti LaBelle. Immediately upon his return to Detroit, Ted was recognized by jazz guitar recording great Earl Klugh, who asked Ted to join him on several recordings and tours. It was not long before Ted’s great reputation put him in high demand touring and recording with national and international recording artists.
Ted’s aptitude as both drummer and drum programmer has put him side by side with distinguished producers DJ King Britt (Sylk 130,) Sean "P-Diddy" Combs (Bad Boy Entertainment), James Poyser (Lauren Hill, Eryka Badu, Eric Benet ) Michael Powell (Anita Baker, Regina Bell ) and on concert stages and television appearances around the world with such artist as Rachelle Ferrell, Earl Klugh, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, and many others.
(*see recording and performance credits)
Not one to rest on past accomplishments, Ted has taken his music career to new heights by adding multi-platinum producer to his list of credits. In 1999, Ted was asked to produce an upcoming Neo-Soul artist named JILL SCOTT. Released in July of 2000, the CD "Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. I", became the buzz of the music world selling over 2 million copies worldwide and receiving 4 Grammy nominations. Ted’s production on the spoken word gem "Watching Me" (co-written with Scott and Rich Medina) has made him an in-demand producer as well as drummer. Ted was again ask to produce and write a track for Scott’s follow up CD "Experience 826+". For the November 2001 released "Experience 826+" CD (which is currently certified gold), Ted produce the track "Be Ready" which was called "a bona fide gem" by Sylvia W. Chan, writer of VIBE magazine. Displaying his versatility as a producer/songwriter, Ted composed and produced ( along with handling the drum set duties for the entire project) the song "Salvador Bahia" featuring vocalist Jon Lucien for percussionist Leonard "Doc" Gibbs’ 2002 released CD "Servin’ It Up Hot!".
Today, along with his recording, production , and touring schedule, you can hear Ted’s inspired drumming nightly on the Television Food Network hit television show "Emeril Live!" featuring international celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. Ted’s signature drum grooves are not his only musical contributions to the Emeril Live! show. He’s also co-writer of the music for the show along with his Emeril Live Band teammates Leonard "Doc" Gibbs (Bandleader/Percussionist), Cliff Starkey (Keyboards), Charles Baldwin (Bass Guitar), and Louis Taylor (Sax). And if that’s not enough, Ted is currently finishing his degree in music education at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while continuing to compose music for a variety of projects in his home studio.
Ted Thomas, Jr. a gifted drummer, producer, and composer blessed by God with a world of experience and a groove that captures your heart and rest in your soul !
Just listen!
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