Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with Jeremy Thomas
Jeremy is an incredibly talented and versatile musician playing the Hammond B3 Organ, Drums, Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizers, and the Bass Guitar. His passion for the Hammond B3 is evidenced by his dynamic and energetic playing style. Being a multi-instrumentalist has allowed Jeremy to apply his musical knowledge and understanding of the instruments within the ensemble to create lush and complex musical arrangements that have captivated audiences throughout the United States.
Jeremy played with Grammy Award Winning Songwriter V. Michael McKay. He as also played for Grammy Award winner Gospel artist such as Vashawn Mitchell, Dorinda Clark Cole, Twinkie Clark, Bishop Paul S. Morton, and Myron Butler. On the Jazz scene Jeremy has toured and or performed with Three time Grammy Nominee Jazz Organist, Joey Defrancesco, Four time Grammy Award winner trumpet player and arranger, Arturo Sandoval, 6 time Grammy Award winner saxophonist, David Sanborn, and Jazz Organist Tony Monaco, among many others.
Today Jeremy continues to tour and collaborate with the worlds finest artist and musicians.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Jeremy Thomas: I grew up in Oklahoma City, I decided to become an artist because I felt like I had something I needed to share with the world and I wanted to perform original music that appealed to those with a strong passion for music like me.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Jeremy Thomas: People wanted to see and hear Jeremy Thomas, so I decided to name the group the Jeremy Thomas Quartet so when people would hear the name they would know I would be there.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Jeremy Thomas: I think online music sharing is a great way to get exposed to many people. There is a part I sometimes do in my shows to where I give music away to fans if they answer some trival questions correctly.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or Artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Jeremy Thomas: The first tip i would offer to smaller bands and / or Artist is to find and connect with a venue in your city or town where you can gig on a consistant basis to develop your own shows and to build your audience, your fanbase grow and follow you because of your consistansy of performing all the time.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Jeremy Thomas: Sure! Nobody’s perfect. However I handle it by not letting the audience know that a mistake has been made through my facial expresions or body laungage, then continue to play as if nothing “bad” has happened.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Jeremy Thomas: Yes I do tour. Actually while on tour one time we were almost home when the Hammond B3 organ fell out the back of the trailer!! On the highway!! I noticed people trying to get my attention, however I just thought people were just being super friendly to me…..It wasn’t until I pulled up at a gas station someone had flagged me down to tell me that my trailer door was open. I was so scared at the time!! But now I can laugh about it.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather musical inspiration? What is your usual musical process?
Jeremy Thomas: I immerse myself in listening to records. Everything from Jimmy Smith, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis Jhon Coltrane, to James Brown, Larry Ghram, Stevie Wonder gospel records and rock and roll. I pull inspiration from everything I hear and even some things that I encounter on a daily basis.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Jeremy Thomas: I have a band website, www.jeremythomasquartet.com (actually come check it out and also like my facebook page while you’re at it). Currently our music is on most online music stores under both Jeremy Thomas Quartet and Jeremy Thomas “I AM”.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Jeremy Thomas: Being a musician, I actually dig and have played all types of music, so you’ll find a little bit of everything on my mp3 player, probably the most embarassing song would be Pussy Cat Dolls “Don’tcha Wish (Your girlfriend Was Hot Like Me)” lol.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Jeremy Thomas: I would spend half of the money on a new house and save the rest, I actually love what I do though, so I dont know if I can stay away for a year, I’d probably be back to work in 6 months.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Jeremy Thomas: I’m working with Presonus Studio One in 778 Music Group Studios.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Jeremy Thomas: I believe the best promotional tool right now is social media. Any kind of social media really. Its very effective and easy to let all the fans know at the touch of a button where I’ll be performing at or what new music I’m working on.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any Artist (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Jeremy Thomas: It would definitely be the King of the Hammond. The Late Great Jimmy Smith at any venue on the planet! It wouldn’t matter to me. lol!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Jeremy Thomas : I’m currently working on my next project which will drop on March 18th entitled “Trap Jazz”. Its a fusion of “Trap” Hip Hop and Jazz Improvisation combined. Something totally different I believe will appeal to everybody both young and old.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Jeremy Thomas: The 1st album that I ever bought was “Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: Live in Tokoyo 1961” actually my dad bought it for me when I was 15 years old and I was obsessed with it from the very first spin.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Jeremy Thomas: Life is all about balance and time management. Everyone has 24 hours in a day, so its all about how you divide those 24 hours up that determines how sucessful you are. I make sure that if I hve any work that needs to be done I try to complete that 1st before I do the “fun” stuff. But I don’t sleep much at all. I go to bed late and wake up pretty early in the morning. Gotta keep grindin!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2017?
Jeremy Thomas: Fans can look forward to about 5 new albums dropping this year full of Just about all brand new original music. Also we be performing at several music festivals all over the land so if you hear our name out near you, definitely come check us out.
