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Tenor saxophonist Gregory Thompkins
b. December 1st. 1963 started his professional career with the jazz group First Impressions at Towson University in 1985. The ensemble performed at clubs, concerts, and festivals in the greater Baltimore/Washington area. Mr. Thompkins is a graduate of Towson University '89 where he studied music with Hank Levy, Glen Cashman, Greg Hatza and Dr. Joe Briscuso. While at TU he also performed and studied with Carl Grubbs, recorded with Red Tape and received the 1986 C.E.E.P. award.
After earning his Bachelor's degree in Jazz/Commercial music he has become a ubiquitous saxophonist and teacher on the Baltimore scene. He has performed and or recorded with Lafayette Gilchrist, Allmighty Senators, The Persuaders, The Bob Fields Group, Brian Jack , Baltimore AfroBeat Society and The Greg Thompkins Quartet. He has been called "One of Baltimore's premier Tenor Saxophonist" by The Baltimore Sun. Some career highlights include Grammy Showcase winner with Allmighty Senators '95, Best Band "City paper" and "Baltimore Magazine" with Allmighty Senators '95, Best horn Player "Music Monthly" '99, Yamaha Artist 2000, Best Tribute Band with Baltimore AfroBeat Society "Baltimore Magazine" 2004, Best Tribute Concert Celebrating John Coltrane "Baltimore Magazine" 2005, Best Band with Lafayette Gilchrist and The New Volcanoes "Baltimore Magazine" 2006.
Mr. Thompkins has recorded a tribute to Thelonious Monk called Boo Boo's Birthday and a DVD concert celebrating John Coltrane titled LSQ both are available on the RolandPark Jazz label. He is a featured soloist on Lafayette Gilchrist's 2005 cd "Towards the shining path" on the Hyena label. There will be a Live CD of The Gregory Thompkins Quartet fall of 2008 as well as a new recording from Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes.
Since 1992 Gregory has taught saxophone at Music and Art Center in Ellicott city and Timonium Maryland. He has also taught at Loyola High School, Friends School and The Music Workshop. The Fall of 2008 will see him work with the Greg Poling Foundation to teach Baltimore city youths to play the Saxophone and performing clinics for Yamaha Saxophone. Mr. Thompkins continues to study the Saxophone and improvisation with George Garzone in Boston.
Gregory currently resides in Baltimore Maryland where he is in constant demand as a saxophonist and teacher. He can be heard regularly with The Greg Thompkins Quartet, Lafayette Gilchrist and The New Volcanoes and The InQuiring Minds.
Tenor saxophonist Gregory Thompkins
b. December 1st. 1963 started his professional career with the jazz group First Impressions at Towson University in 1985. The ensemble performed at clubs, concerts, and festivals in the greater Baltimore/Washington area. Mr. Thompkins is a graduate of Towson University '89 where he studied music with Hank Levy, Glen Cashman, Greg Hatza and Dr. Joe Briscuso. While at TU he also performed and studied with Carl Grubbs, recorded with Red Tape and received the 1986 C.E.E.P. award.
After earning his Bachelor's degree in Jazz/Commercial music he has become a ubiquitous saxophonist and teacher on the Baltimore scene. He has performed and or recorded with Lafayette Gilchrist, Allmighty Senators, The Persuaders, The Bob Fields Group, Brian Jack , Baltimore AfroBeat Society and The Greg Thompkins Quartet. He has been called "One of Baltimore's premier Tenor Saxophonist" by The Baltimore Sun. Some career highlights include Grammy Showcase winner with Allmighty Senators '95, Best Band "City paper" and "Baltimore Magazine" with Allmighty Senators '95, Best horn Player "Music Monthly" '99, Yamaha Artist 2000, Best Tribute Band with Baltimore AfroBeat Society "Baltimore Magazine" 2004, Best Tribute Concert Celebrating John Coltrane "Baltimore Magazine" 2005, Best Band with Lafayette Gilchrist and The New Volcanoes "Baltimore Magazine" 2006.
Mr. Thompkins has recorded a tribute to Thelonious Monk called Boo Boo's Birthday and a DVD concert celebrating John Coltrane titled LSQ both are available on the RolandPark Jazz label. He is a featured soloist on Lafayette Gilchrist's 2005 cd "Towards the shining path" on the Hyena label. There will be a Live CD of The Gregory Thompkins Quartet fall of 2008 as well as a new recording from Lafayette Gilchrist and the New Volcanoes.
Since 1992 Gregory has taught saxophone at Music and Art Center in Ellicott city and Timonium Maryland. He has also taught at Loyola High School, Friends School and The Music Workshop. The Fall of 2008 will see him work with the Greg Poling Foundation to teach Baltimore city youths to play the Saxophone and performing clinics for Yamaha Saxophone. Mr. Thompkins continues to study the Saxophone and improvisation with George Garzone in Boston.
Gregory currently resides in Baltimore Maryland where he is in constant demand as a saxophonist and teacher. He can be heard regularly with The Greg Thompkins Quartet, Lafayette Gilchrist and The New Volcanoes and The InQuiring Minds.