Butch Thompson
Encyclopedia
Butch Thompson is an American
jazz
pianist
and clarinetist best known for his ragtime
and stride
performances.
He has created musical groups including the Butch Thompson Trio and New Orleans Jazz Originals. Thompson was born in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
, and gained a wide audience when he was house pianist and bandleader
for A Prairie Home Companion
from 1974 to 1986. The Butch Thompson Trio was formed for the radio show in 1978, and continues to perform today. Thompson and his group maintain a close relationship with the radio program and appear regularly.
Thompson began playing piano at the early age of three, and began taking lessons at age six. In high school
, he played clarinet
in the school band. In 1962, after entering the University of Minnesota
, Thompson joined the Hall Brothers Jazz Band of Minneapolis. In the following years, he took time to visit New Orleans
and learn from musicians there. Thompson was one of a handful on non-locals to play at the city's Preservation Hall
.
In the 1970s, Thompson's recordings gained popularity in Europe
. He toured the continent extensively in the 1970s and 1980s, both as a solo artist and as a band leader or member. Thompson has written for jazz publications and produces a radio show, Jazz Originals, for KBEM-FM in Minneapolis.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and clarinetist best known for his ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
and stride
Stride piano
Harlem Stride Piano, Stride Piano, or just Stride, is a jazz piano style that was developed in the large cities of the East Coast, mainly in the New York, during 1920s and 1930s. The left hand may play a four-beat pulse with a single bass note, octave, seventh or tenth interval on the first and...
performances.
He has created musical groups including the Butch Thompson Trio and New Orleans Jazz Originals. Thompson was born in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
Marine on St. Croix is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 689 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. Minnesota State Highway 95 serves as a main...
, and gained a wide audience when he was house pianist and bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
for A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
from 1974 to 1986. The Butch Thompson Trio was formed for the radio show in 1978, and continues to perform today. Thompson and his group maintain a close relationship with the radio program and appear regularly.
Thompson began playing piano at the early age of three, and began taking lessons at age six. In high school
Stillwater Area High School
Stillwater Area High School is a public school located in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota and is part of the Stillwater Area Public Schools - District 834...
, he played clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
in the school band. In 1962, after entering the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, Thompson joined the Hall Brothers Jazz Band of Minneapolis. In the following years, he took time to visit New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and learn from musicians there. Thompson was one of a handful on non-locals to play at the city's Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is a noted jazz performance hall located at 726 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It hosts nightly concerts featuring a rotating roster of bands. The bands of Preservation Hall typically perform jazz in the New Orleans style.Despite the fame of the...
.
In the 1970s, Thompson's recordings gained popularity in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. He toured the continent extensively in the 1970s and 1980s, both as a solo artist and as a band leader or member. Thompson has written for jazz publications and produces a radio show, Jazz Originals, for KBEM-FM in Minneapolis.