Sonny Thompson

Sonny Thompson ( born August 22, 1922 in Centreville, Mississippi, Alphonso Thompson, † August 11, 1989 in Chicago) was an American rhythm and blues pianist, songwriter, record producer and bandleader.

Life and work

Bandleader and pianist Sonny Thompson was among the most prominent R & B and jump blues musicians who were popular until the late 40s early 50s. He grew up in Chicago; after visiting the Wendell Phillips High School, he studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. In the city's clubs he has been shaped by the music of Art Tatum and Earl Hines '. From 1940 he worked as a professional musician, briefly interrupted by the time in the army, from which he was released after an accident. As of early 1944, he appeared as a solo pianist; short time he also led a big band in 1945, El Grotto, the basement club of the Pershing hotels, whose performances were broadcast on radio. After the dissolution of the ensemble he continued working as a soloist; The result were the first 78s recordings under his own name in 1946 for the small Detroit label Sultan Records ( " Southside Boogie " / " Sonny's Boogie" ), and later for Sunrise Records. During this time he also recordings with singer June Richmond for Mercury, which he accompanied with a combo as well as the Dick Davis Orchestra ( " Memphis Train" ).

In 1948 he had two # 1 Hiterfolge in the R & B charts with " Long Gone (Parts I and II) " and "Late Freight " which he had recorded with saxophonist Eddie Chamblee for the Chicago based label Miracle Records; " Long Gone " became one of the most best-selling R & B records of the era and to Thompson's signature tune. More numbers incurred for the label Federal and Deluxe; less successful were the title " Blue Dreams " and " Still Gone". His band consisted of 1951, the tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks and trumpeter Henry Glover. In 1951 he moved to King Records, where he recorded recordings with singer Jesse Edwards, the " Smokestack Blues" and "Uncle Sam Blues " and " The Mellow Blues (parts one and two) " under his own name. Other top ten hits on the R & B charts he had then with the singer Lula Reed; the greatest success was "I'll Drown in My Tears ", which reached # 5 of the U.S. charts and was later covered by Ray Charles. After a successful period of collaboration with Lula Reed, who made ​​numerous tours throughout the United States together began. Thompson took until 1959 on plates with Reed. As a songwriter, he worked in 1960 for blues guitarist Freddie King, for which he, inter alia, the title of "Hideaway" wrote. Even 1961/62 was involved with in its tracks "Side Tracked " and "Driving Sideways".

In the 1960s he worked otherwise no longer as an active musician, but worked as a musical director, producer and A & R for King Records in the Chicago area.

Disco Graphical Notes

• The Complete Recordings Vol 1 (1945-1948) ( Bluemoon )
• Cat on the Keys ( Swing Time, 1947-56 )
• Mellow Blues for the Late Night (King, 1959)
• Sonny Thompson Swings in Paris ( Black & Blue, ed 1972)