René Thomas was a Belgian jazz guitarist who played and recorded often during his career with his fellow countryman Bobby Jaspar.
Thomas moved to Canada in the 1950s and then back to Europe in 1962, where he played and recorded frequently with Jaspar, Kenny Clarke, Eddy Louiss and many others. Thomas had a tasty style that was something of a cross between Jimmy Raney and Grant Green. He has always been a favorite of mine and now will be a favorite of yours.
Thomas died in 1975. Here are a bunch of videos of him in action plus three choice audio clips:
René Thomas with saxophonist Bobby Jaspar…
Thomas with organist Eddy Louiss and drummer Kenny Clarke…
Thomas with Louiss and drummer Bernard Lubat…
Thoms, Louiss and drummer Jean Louis Viale…
And here are three audio tracks:
Thomas’s Meeting…
All Morning Long…
No Smoking with Thomas, Luiss and Clarke…
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