We've watched and listened since the beginning: First steps at Jazz House Kids; next steps at NJPAC Jazz For Teens; Juilliard; guest performances with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis…all before his mid-twenties. Pianist Isaiah J. Thompson possesses a skill set that attracted the attention of Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Steve Turre, Buster Williams and John Pizzarelli.
He's been featured in the movie Motherless Brooklyn. He's recorded an outstanding celebration of the music of Buddy Montgomery. With The Power of the Spirit Isaiah—along with tenor saxophonist Julian Lee, bassist Philip Norris and drummers TJ Reddick and Domo Branch—presents a diverse and wholly engaging set, captured at Dizzy's Club in New York. In just a few days Isaiah will be featured as one the five finalists for this year's American Pianist Association Awards in Indianapolis.
From Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21, one cut from The Power of the Spirit by Isaiah J. Thompson will be featured each morning on the New Day, New Play spotlight on my Daybreak show.
Preview “The IT Department” from The Power of the Spirit, above.
