Sylvia Thompson is a newcomer to the professional music scene, after having grown up in a jazz-loving family in Beaumont , Texas . Her father was a jazz pianist and vocalist in the local James Lee Orchestra during the 1940s and ’50s.
She decided to try her hand at jazz performing after relocating to Tennessee a few years ago. She attended vocal sessions at the Nashville Jazz Workshop (NJW) in Nashville , TN and performed at The Jazz Cave, the official Nashville music venue associated with the NJW.
Sylvia has also sung as a guest vocalist at F. Scott’s and Sambuca restaurants in Nashville. She did a showcase performance in 2009 at Edgehill Studios Cafe, also in Nashville, produced by noted Nashville vocalist Christina Watson. In 2008, her Demo CD was produced by Derwin Daniels, saxophonist and music producer, outside of Atlanta , GA. Daniels tours with the band The Ohio Players.
Additionally, Sylvia has produced solo performances that include an NJW art show featuring the Nashville sculptor Timothy Webber and the 21st annual fundraising event for St. Martha’s Catholic Church in Ashland City , TN.
In October 2010, Sylvia co-produced her first jazz CD titled “Musically Yours…A Jazz Tribute,” in memory of her father and his era of music. The CD is currently being distributed by CD Baby at http://cdbaby.com/cd/sylviaathompson.
In May 2011, Sylvia performed in her hometown of Beaumont , TX for a sold-out concert at Suga’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar. She did a guest appearance with Jimmy Simmons and his jazz group at The Logon Café, and was the featured artist with the Jimmy Simmons band at the annual Beaumont Jazz and Blues Festival.
Sylvia’s favorite vocal artists are the “girl singers” with the big bands of the jazz era. Sarah Vaughan, Billy Holiday, Jo Stafford, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, and Helen O’Connell are among the most admired and emulated. Later vocalists who have influenced Sylvia’s style are Shirley Horn and Nancy Wilson.
The CD, “Musically Yours…A Jazz Tribute,” received positive responses by local musicians, including pianist Lori Mechem, co-director of the NJW and Christina Watson, an accomplished vocalist on the Nashville scene. Marv Essary, of Sacramento, CA, has posted a detailed review of the CD at his site. Essary characterizes Sylvia’s music as “smooth” and “easy listening.” A local newspaper in her area did a front page story on her CD and gave it a very complimentary review:
http://www.c-dh.net/articles/2010/11/10/affiliate/advertisernews/arts/01jazz.txt
