Igmar Thomas

Maestro, Trumpeter, conductor, composer and arranger Igmar Thomas is a visionary artist and linchpin of the modern vanguard. His fluency and knack for transmuting the genres of the African diaspora make him one of the most sought-after minds in contemporary music. An alumnus of Berklee College of Music and former student of trumpeters Nicholas Payton and Roy Hargrove, Thomas’ role varies from featured artist to sideman and band leader to maestro and musical director on international tours for artists like Esperanza Spalding and Kamasi Washington.

Thomas serves as the Music Director for legendary artist Busta Rhymes and celebrity DJ D-Nice, and previously for Nas and Ms. Lauryn Hill earned him the praise of hip-hop icons DJ Kool Herc, DJ Premier and Sean “Diddy” Combs, who likened Thomas’ musical directing talents to that of Teddy Riley and DeVante Swing. He proudly serves as an ambassador of black musical culture at the helm of Igmar Thomas & The Cypher, the acclaimed Revive Big Band and the phenomenal Revive Orchestra. Thomas’ boundless creativity enables him to serve as a conduit for the harmonious synthesis of various genres, eras and musical styles. His approach to musicianship has empowered peers and legends to embrace the freedom inherent in rejecting purist notions and making music outside of the box.

Kamasi Washington at The Royal Baths Park

by Marek J. ?mieta��ski
August 25, 2025

Alan Broadbent, Jacob Chung, Allan Harris, Nicole Glover and more

by Benjamin Boddie
July 18, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Alan Broadbent, Jacob Chung, Bill O'Connell, Allan Harris, Nicole Glover, Michael Dease, Joshua Redman, Tessa Souter, Tim Jago, Mike Clark & Mike Zilber, Tyler Henderson, Jed Levy, Joe Kennedy, Kieran Brown, Nicholas Payton, Dave Anderson, Dave Bass, Karla Harris, Jordan VanHemert, Dom Salvador, Eric Scott Reed, Tyreek McDole, and more. ...

Michael Dease, Spike Wilner, Bobby West, Antonia Bennett and more

by Benjamin Boddie
June 26, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Michael Dease, Spike Wilner Trio, Bobby West, Antonia Bennett, Alon Farber & Hagiga, Dom Salvador, Mark Masters Ensemble, Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell, Neff Irizarry, Mads Tolling, Danny Grissett, Luc��a, Tyler Henderson, Sharel Cassity, Dee Dee Bridgewater & Bill Charlap, Jed Levy, Hiromi, Freedom Art Quartet, Ben Sidran, James ...

Jed Levy, Kandace Springs, Leon Anderson, Behn Gillece and more

by Benjamin Boddie
June 12, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Charles Rouse, Jed Levy, Bill O'Connell, Doug Wyatt, Joe Lovano, Reginald Cyntje, Eric Scott Reed, Beatle Jazz, Royce Campbell, John Clayton, Jane Ira Bloom, Kandace Springs, George Colligan, Albare, Pete McGuinness, Marilyn Kleinberg, Leon Anderson, Posi-Tone Swingtet, Behn Gillece, Charles Chen, Greg Murphy, Saul Dautch, Greg Hopkins, Mark Masters, and ...

New Music From Melford, Halvorson, Henriksen And More

by Bob Osborne
May 22, 2025

A comprehensive look at new releases from the USA and Europe is topped and tailed with older recordings re-issued or released for the first time. New associations between established musicians deliver exciting listening experiences whilst new players on the scene demonstrate Jazz is alive and growing.Playlist Charles Rouse “Bitchin'" from Two Is One (Mack ...

Jed Levy, Bill O'Connell, Gina Saputo, Sean Nelson and more

by Benjamin Boddie
May 1, 2025

Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Charles Rouse, Jed Levy, Bill O'Connell, Gina Saputo, Sean Nelson, Doug Wyatt, Joe Lovano, Igmar Thomas, Reginald Cyntje, Franck Amsallem, Russ Spiegel, Dave Robbins, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Lyn Stanley, Reid Hoyson, Nels Cline, Thomas Marriott, Aron!, Nancy Kelly, Triology, Altin Sencalar, Sharel Cassity, Hiromi, John Ellis, Jeff Libman, Nnenna Freelon, ...

Gerald Clayton, Igmar Thomas, Johnny O'Neal & Wes Montgomery

by Joe Dimino
April 27, 2025

As we gear up for the Count Basie at 90 Celebration right here in Kansas City on International Jazz Day 2025, featuring none other than the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, we kick things off in style--with a nod to one of the true greats. We open the show with Wes Montgomery, spinning a track from his ...

Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness, Fini Bearman, Gerald Clayton, Shamek Farra

by Cheryl K.
April 26, 2025

During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, new releases from the improvisational ensemble Pitch, Rhythm and Consciousness; saxophonists David Murray and Kamasi Washington; singer-songwriter Fini Bearman; pianist Gerald Clayton; guitarist Roman Pilon; and from the first batch of resurrected releases from Strata-East, First Impressions by saxophonist Shamek Farrah. Playlist Joe Henderson ...

Lucky All Along

By Lisa Hilton

Label: Ruby Slippers Productions
Released: 2024
Track listing: Little Beach Mornings; All Blues; Prophesies & Predictions; Hollywood Moment; And Some Blues; Escapist Fantasy; See You Again; Starry, Starry Eyes; Lucky All Along; Big Sur Views; Snow On The Beach.