Tabby Thomas
Encyclopedia
Tabby Thomas also known as Rockin' Tabby Thomas is an American
Chicago blues
musician
. He sings and plays the piano
and guitar
, and specializes in a substyle of blues indigenous to southern Louisiana called swamp blues
.
there, Tabby's Blues Box and Heritage Hall, until its closure in November 2004. Among his seven children is the noted blues musician Chris Thomas King
.
Thomas had a stroke
in 2004, which affected his playing but not his singing. Currently, on Saturday afternoons he hosts the radio
show Tabby's Blues Box on Baton Rouge stations WBRH-FM
and KBRH-AM
, which originate from the media center of Baton Rouge Magnet High School
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Chicago blues
Chicago blues
The Chicago blues is a form of blues music that developed in Chicago, Illinois, by taking the basic acoustic guitar and harmonica-based Delta blues, making the harmonica louder with a microphone and an instrument amplifier, and adding electrically amplified guitar, amplified bass guitar, drums,...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He sings and plays the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, and specializes in a substyle of blues indigenous to southern Louisiana called swamp blues
Swamp blues
Swamp blues, sometimes the Excello sound, is a sub-genre of blues music and a variation of Louisiana blues that developed around Baton Rouge in the 1950s and which reached a peak of popularity in the 1960s. It generally has a slow tempo and incorporates influences from other genres of music,...
.
Career
Thomas is one of the best known blues musicians in Baton Rouge, and had, since the late 1970s, operated his own blues clubNightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
there, Tabby's Blues Box and Heritage Hall, until its closure in November 2004. Among his seven children is the noted blues musician Chris Thomas King
Chris Thomas King
Chris Thomas King is an American New Orleans, Louisiana-based blues musician and actor.-History:King was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. He is the son of blues musician Tabby Thomas. He has won awards including "Album of the Year" for both Grammy Award and Country Music Awards. King...
.
Thomas had a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 2004, which affected his playing but not his singing. Currently, on Saturday afternoons he hosts the radio
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
show Tabby's Blues Box on Baton Rouge stations WBRH-FM
WBRH-FM
WBRH is a student-run jazz high school radio station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The station, at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, broadcasts with an effective radiated power of 21 kW...
and KBRH-AM
KBRH
KBRH is a radio station broadcasting a Urban Oldies format. Licensed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, the station serves the greater Baton Rouge area. The station is currently owned by East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.-History:...
, which originate from the media center of Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Baton Rouge Magnet High School
Baton Rouge Magnet High School is a magnet school in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was founded in the early 1890s. The current school building was built in 1928, and, as Baton Rouge High School, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986...
.
External links
- Tabby Thomas interview by Nick Spitzer, from American RoutesAmerican RoutesAmerican Routes is a weekly two-hour public radio program that presents the breadth and depth of the American musical and cultural landscape. Hosted by Nick Spitzer, American Routes is syndicated by 225 stations, with over half a million listeners. It is produced out of New Orleans and distributed...
radio program, June 2006