Musician. An avant-garde trumpeter, he was considered by many as being one of the leading performers in Modern Jazz. He will perhaps be remembered as the leader of the jazz band "Brass Proud." Born Malachi Richard Thompson, he was raised in Chicago and came under the influence of The Count Basie Orchestra prior to his teenage years, which prompted his parents to buy him his first trumpet. He acquired experience in both Jazz and R&B groups and after receiving his degree from Governor's State University, he relocated to New York City during the mid-1970s, which led to his performing with bandleaders Sam Rivers, Joe Henderson and Jackie McLean and others. Beginning in 1980, Thompson was a recording artist as a sideman with a wide range of artists including Quincy Jones, and as leader of his own ensemble Brass Proud (initial album "The Seventh Son," 1980). During the late 1980s, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and succumbed to the disease after a recurrence in 2006.
Musician. An avant-garde trumpeter, he was considered by many as being one of the leading performers in Modern Jazz. He will perhaps be remembered as the leader of the jazz band "Brass Proud." Born Malachi Richard Thompson, he was raised in Chicago and came under the influence of The Count Basie Orchestra prior to his teenage years, which prompted his parents to buy him his first trumpet. He acquired experience in both Jazz and R&B groups and after receiving his degree from Governor's State University, he relocated to New York City during the mid-1970s, which led to his performing with bandleaders Sam Rivers, Joe Henderson and Jackie McLean and others. Beginning in 1980, Thompson was a recording artist as a sideman with a wide range of artists including Quincy Jones, and as leader of his own ensemble Brass Proud (initial album "The Seventh Son," 1980). During the late 1980s, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and succumbed to the disease after a recurrence in 2006.
Bio by: C.S.
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