DanThomasJazz.com

Performer, composer, arranger, educator, and arts administrator Dan Thomas has received countless performance awards, has performed, recorded, and presented with some of the most influential jazz artists and pedagogues in nearly every state in the continental US, Canada, and abroad.  Thomas emigrated from his native Canada to the United States in 1993. 

Thomas is a prolific composer of more than 100 original compositions in a wide variety of formats. His recordings (of original works) City Scope, Musical Sanctuary and Voyage continue to receive critical acclaim internationally, and acknowledgement on the airplay charts. His quintet recording featuring Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy and Voyage is available for immediate release. 

Thomas is an in-demand performer, guest artist, and lecturer throughout the world.  He has spoken on a plethora of topics ranging from performance practices, music history, music and social justice, to music business.  He has performed countless times as guest artist at all levels, as well as made many appearances as guest conductor.  In addition to Thomas’ work with his small groups, his pedigree and leadership skills are on display as he currently serves as the Artistic and Executive director of the Kansas City All Star Big Band which is comprised of the regions most celebrated jazz artists.  Along with an elite group of high caliber international musicians, Thomas is signed to the Performing Artist and Educator rosters with both Yamaha and Vandoren. 

Thomas currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies and lead faculty member for the department of music at Ottawa University and previously served at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as the co-chair of the Jazz Studies Program with Bobby Watson. Thomas was the chief architect of a new model for jazz education which garnered national attention for the program. 

Thomas has conducted by invitation at the Jazz Education Network convention, the Missouri Music Educator’s Association’s Annual In-Service Workshop/Conference.  Thomas’ contributions to education have been recognized with inductions into Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (3 times) as well as being awarded the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Excellence in Teaching Award (2017), given to one Conservatory faculty member, and twice recognized by the Missouri Music Educators Association. Thomas’ achievement as an educator have led to considerable programmatic growth, student academic achievement and increases in annual giving. 

Thomas’ students perform throughout the globe and teach at the highest levels.  Students have been recognized in numerous jazz competitions and received many awards, notably in Downbeat, by Thelonious Monk, MTNA, Yamaha, ITG, Nafme, Music for All, Grammy, Bard Summer Jazz Academy (JALCO), the National Youth Orchestra and the Vandoren jazz saxophone competition, among other.  His students have appeared many times at the Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, Jazz Port Townsend workshops, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Educators Network.  Former student and assistant professor of saxophone at the University of Memphis says, “Dan, in addition to being a killer player, is a dedicated pedagogue who breaks down and demystifies the nuts and bolts of improvisation in a way that no other teacher I encountered in my collegiate study could.” 

In addition to his long University tenure, Thomas has held appointments as the Executive Director and CEO of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, has taught in Washington, Missouri, and Kansas public schools, and at Kansas City’s Penn Valley Community College and Rockhurst University. He presents master classes, workshops, and performs at high school and university jazz festivals as a featured guest artist around the world. 

Thomas holds performing artist/educator endorsements with Yamaha, Vandoren, Locoparasaxo, WeWOOD and Roo Pads.