Recent Loss to the Trumpet World- Mr. Don Thomas

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Don ThomasTo most trumpet players, names such as Maynard Ferguson, Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Miles Davis and others are easily recognized through the many records on the market today. Strangely enough, many of these great players would have been overshadowed by the talent of a quiet, soft spoken trumpet player from Fort Worth, Texas. This incredibly talented and not well known to the public trumpet master was Mr. Don Thomas.

While attending North Texas State, I had the good fortune to not only have meet Mr. Thomas but also record several jingles with him in the studios in Dallas. Little did I know at the time that I was sitting next to a legend in the trumpet world. I remember him as a kind and always cheerful man who was always there to help anyone needing advice about trumpet playing. I vividly remember one session where Don introduced me to his son John Thomas. Before the session, Don called this high school age student over and said, “Bruce, I’d like to have you meet my son, John. He’s a trumpet player also”. If you have not listened to John, you need to for he is also one of the leading trumpet players of our time.

I have included some material from Don’s death announcement which you need to read and I have also included a few videos of this masterful musicians playing so that you will understand just how gifted this kind man was.

BY TIM MADIGAN| tmadigan@star-telegram.com|Thursday, Jan. 09, 2014

In 1973, jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald headlined the first-ever pops concert for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. A few days later, she was a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
“We all gathered around the television to watch,” remembered John Giordano, the retired longtime conductor of the symphony. “Johnny asked Ella what she had been doing lately. She said: ‘As a matter of fact, I just played with the Fort Worth Symphony. They had the best lead trumpet player I’ve ever worked with. His name was Don Thomas. ”

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

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2 thoughts on “Recent Loss to the Trumpet World- Mr. Don Thomas”

  1. Ruari Wilson

    How wonderful to hear this man play – I have heard of him. He has the most vibrant trumpet tone and beautiful phrasing. Thank you for taking time to post this tribute.

    • Bruce Chidester

      You are true in every word you said. He was one of the Great players of our time.

      Thanks for your comments about Don.

      We will miss him.

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