CiTR

Donald Winston Thompson is one of Canada's national treasures. He is internationally recognized and has played with so many important movers and shakers in Jazz that it would take more space than this to mention everybody. Not only has he worked with every major musician in Canada but with Jazz super stars like saxophonists, John Handy, Lee Konitz, Paul Desmond, Zoot Sims, Charlie Rouse, Stan Getz to name only a few. Don is a pianist and an incredible vibist and he has performed on vibes with the great George Shearing. Also he is one of the finest bass players on the planet. If that's not enough, he is a fine composer. He has taught at various Canadian universities and is a member of The Order of Canada. He is indeed a treasure. In tonight's Jazz Feature recorded in 2003 in his home town of Powell River B.C., Don leads a stellar quartet of Vancouver based players including the late and great Ross Taggart (1967-2013) Ross is heard on soprano and tenor saxophone as well as piano where Thompson switches to vibes. Bassist Ken Lister and drummer Dave Robbins demonstrate why they are first-call players in the Vancouver area. Mr. Thompson leads the band through 6 of his amazing compositions and the concert ends with a piano solo on Billy Strayhorn's beautiful "Lotus Blossom" Today, January 18,2016 is Don Thompson's 76th Birthday and we on The Jazz Show honour him with "Don Thompson-Live In Powell River".