Don's Bio

Pianist, bassist, vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and recording engineer, Don Thompson was born in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. He played bass and piano with the legendary John Handy Quintet, 1964 - 1967 before moving to Toronto, Ontario in 1969. Since then he has worked with many of the jazz greats including, Jim Hall, Paul Desmond, Sonny Greenwich, Frank Rosolino, George Shearing, Milt Jackson, and James Moody to mention a few.

Don also played bass and piano with the Jim Hall Trio from 1975 - 1982, touring the U.S. , Europe and Japan and recording 5 albums with them. He joined George Shearing in 1982 on bass and spent 5 years with him during which they played virtually every major club and festival in the United States.

As leader of his own group (on piano or vibes) Thompson has performed on radio and television and in clubs and festivals across Canada. In 1977, he represented Canada at the Larens International Jazz Festival in Holland. Don Thompson has recorded 11 albums as a leader and received Juno Awards (Canada's equivalent of the Grammys) for two of them: ED BICKERT/DON THOMPSON (Sackville 4005) and BEATIFUL FRIENDSHIP (Concord Jazz).