ABOUT
Thomas Magnuson’s most recent musical iterations are committed to a complete deconstruction of music to a spacial collection of the most essential and critical emotionalities necessary. From 2018-2021, Thomas has recorded with Paris Pals, a Paris based contemporary jazz funk collective headed by Franklin Clark Magnuson and Paul Caro of Strandtuch.
Thomas began his professional career at the age of 15 in a Wallace, Idaho, a small Idaho mining town as the drummer for Jack and the Weasels, covering early 1970s classic rock of Led Zeppelin, Blue Oyster Cult, Edgar Winter and Foghat.
After his first gig in a bar full of bikers, miners and loggers ended after only 1 hour, with a stabbing only five feet from the bandstand, Thomas was determined to leave the small town behind,
Thomas moved to Boston at the age of 18 and was accepted for ensuing five years of classical training as the only private student of Fred Buda, principal percussionist and drummer for the world famous Boston Pops Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra, and accompanist for Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Chick Corea, Patti Labelle and Buddy Rich.
Simultaneously, Thomas was accepted for study with 20th century jazz legend Alan Dawson, famed collaborator with saxophonist Booker Ervin, the Dave Brubeck Quartet Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Jaki Byard, Booker Ervin, Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, Lee Konitz, Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Tal Farlow.
In his early 20s, Thomas moved to Los Angeles, recording and touring with Jethro Tull co-founder Glenn Cornick, 20-year David Bowie band member Mike Garson and famed actor Beverly D’Angelo, winner of the Country Music Association’s Album of the year.
In Los Angeles, Thomas collaborated and recorded with Bob Hughes, producer for British and American artists Fleetwood Mac, Alan Parsons Project, Rick Springfield, Billy Joel, Jackson Browne, Jimi Hendrix and Gladys Knight and the Pips. During that time, Thomas studied privately with Frank Zappa protégé Terry Bozzio as well as Tower of Power co-founder David Garibaldi.
Today, Thomas is based in London and is represented exclusively by SW London Music.
- Screen name:
- thomas363988
- Member since:
- Apr 18 2019
- Active within 2 weeks
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 40
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
Instrument experience:
- Drums:
- Expert