Bruce Thomas

BIOGRAPHY

 

Bruce Thomas was first placed on stage at the age of three. Over the years, his vocal style has been influenced by artists: Ralph Thomas (his father), Al Jarreau, Frank Sinatra, Al Green, and Miles Davis so that Bruce can effortlessly move through the musical categories of inspirational, swing, jazz, pop, and R& B. As a baritone, his vocal style is infused with verve, energy, and   charismatic personality that draws enthusiasm and interactive participation from his audiences.

A native of Frederick, Maryland, Bruce grew up in the Washington, DC suburbs. After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in Microbiology, Bruce studied voice with the vocal coach of Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack - LeRoy Dorsey. Bruce began singing at jazz clubs in the Washington, DC and Baltimore areas. Also having a talent for acting, it wasn’t long before Bruce was earning a living as an actor/model and was seen regularly on TV in commercials and television shows. Bruce quickly established a promising acting and modeling career, moving his base to New York City, where he lived and worked for nearly 10 years in movies, soap operas, commercials, and theater.

With the passing of his father, who strongly encouraged Bruce to build a career as a vocalist, his musical hiatus ended in 2009. Bruce began singing jazz in the jazz clubs, cafe's, and restaurants in the Baltimore area. At the same time, Bruce became the lead singer of The Traveling Heart Show from 2010 - 2014 run by Ted Zlatin, featuring early jazz music. From their tour de force performances, the group was billed as the Circus Soleil of 50+ audiences and received write ups in the Baltimore Magazine, Beacon Magazine, and were featured on WBAL News. The group had over 200 performances. During that time, Bruce also produced a CD titled: Classics and Standards.
 

Bruce started singing independent when there were numerous requests of him to expand his jazz repertoire to include popular music. Obliging the demand, Bruce Thomas' performances grew to the point where he had to make the decision of becoming a full time musician. He made that move at the end of 2014 and has never looked back. Since 2014 Bruce has performed nearly 1200 shows solo and with his band in the mid-Atlantic region. Putting his songwriting skills to use, he has a newly released single titled 'HOLLYWOOD' that is on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, and Pandora.


Bruce Thomas is growing into his own sound and style. Bruce's performances have been described as 'lightening in a bottle' and he is regularly compared to the greats. His goal is to continue to write, record and perform music. His mission has always been to bring joy into peoples' lives through music all over the world.

 

GIGS:         

 

TAKOMA STATION

MAYFLOWER HOTEL

TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

SALAMANDER RESORT


CAFÉ DE PARIS

GREAT SAGE

LEELYNN’S

PIZZAZZ TUSCAN GRILLE

TABRIZI'S

COLUMBIA STATION

GREEN ISLAND

SI SALSA

COCO’S BUTTER

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

CAFÉ MEZZANOTTE

DONNA’S

TOWN CENTER CAFÉ

GLEN ROCK MILL INN

EUBIE BLAKE CENTER

MUSIC AND ART TRAVELING HEART SHOW

ROOTS MARKET

RELAY MUSIC CONCERT

PHILLIPS

CAT’S EYE PUB

MR. HENRY’S

CHANNEL INN

CRAMPTON AUDITORIUM

THE CLOSET

HOGATES RESTAURANT


HOWARD INN

ALVA’S LOUNGE

LOVE AND PEACE

32ND ST. PLAZA CAFE

TRIPLES

 

 

MUSICIANS PLAYED WITH:



BRYAN CHARLES

ASHTON FLETCHER


OTIS STROUP

DERRICK AMIN

ELLIOTT LEVINE

JIMOTHY ROGERS

ERNEST WILLIAMS


TONY LUNSFORD

RODNEY KELLY

GARY GRAINGER

TIM TAMASSIA

PHIL HEILIGER

CHAUNCY HARRIS

TOMMY WILLIAMS

PHIL RAVITA

ANTONIO LAWS

JIM STEWART

ROGER HOOPER

JOSH SCHWARTZMAN

BOBBY BUSH

CHARLIE STEINHAUSER

COLTON HAMMON

TIM GHIZ

EDDIE BOTTS

FRANK WEISBERG

GENE OKONSKI

HARLAN JONES

CHARLIE VON NORDECK

WOODY LISSAUER

AARON GRAVES

JAMIE HOPKINS

MITCHELL COATES

JOHN KORDALESKI

GEORGE BOTTS

JIMMY MCPHAIL

KEITH WILSON

MAX VANDERBEEK

ED BOTTS


MANDY KRISS

TOM REYES

LARRY MCKINLEY

DAVID ZEE

RAMIR BEY

KENNETH TRUSTY

ISSAC PARHAM

FREDERIC TEPPER

GARY BARTZ

BYRON MORRIS

AARON THOMPSON

NASAR ABADEY

LARRY PRASCUS

BERTELL KNOX

TED NAPERKOSKI

DAWOUD SAID

WADE BEACH

BILL HARRIS

PROFESSOR ROBINSON


 

 

PRESS:

 

THE BEACON

Thomas, the vocalist, first took to the stage at age 3. Over the years, he said, his vocal style has been influenced by such artists as Al Jarreau, Frank Sinatra, Al Green and Miles Davis, not to mention his own father, Ralph Thomas, a professional singer.

 

Thomas once was a full-time singer, but he went back to the “real world” after the birth of his daughter. He started singing again two years ago. In addition to his work with the Traveling Heart Show, he performs at area restaurants and nightclubs, including Café de Paris, Great Sage, Tabrizi’s and others.

 

Through his day job as branch manager with Options for Senior America, a personal home care organization, Thomas has found a special connection with seniors that he attempts to bring to his performances with the Traveling Heart Show. “I try to put joy into their lives, and music helps me do that,” he said.

 

 Thomas also looks for people in the audience with whom to connect. “It could be the person who already has a sparkle in her eyes, or on the other hand, it could be the person who sits with his arms folded and needs a special touch.” Literally.

 

Thomas is a strong believer in both the power of music and the power of a simple touch on the shoulder. “I just want the audience to accept what I can give them,” he said.