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.