ED THIGPEN BIO Update:

Receipient of the 2002 IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education)
HUMANITARIAN AWARD, the IFPI (International Federation of Phonagraph
Industry) 2002 Danish Jazz Awards and also Inducted into The PAS (Percussive
Arts Society) HALL OF FAME.

World-renown for his exemplary musicianship, his artistry with wire
brushes, and his highly effective teaching methods, Ed Thigpen is
admired by musicians and critics alike as one of the finest
performer/educators in jazz.

Born in Chicago December 28, 1930, Edmund Thigpen grew up in
Los Angeles where he atteneded Thomas Jefferson High School,
whose alumni include artists such as Dexter Gorden, Chico Hamilton
and Art Farmer, There he got his practical experience in the schools
swing band under the guidance of the revered teacher Samuel
Browne.
After graduating from high school in 1949, he entered Los Angeles
City college as a sociology major but left after a year to pursue a
career in music. He then moved to St. Louis, Mo. to live with his
father, drummer Ben Thigpen, well-known for his work with the Andy
Kirk band in the1930s and ¥40s. In 1951 Ed moved to New York
where he joined the Cootie Williams bad at the Savoy Ballroom. He
traveled throughout America with this band and many of the wellknown
rhythm and blues groups of the period.

Between 1954 and `58 he worked with Dinah Washington, the
Johnny Hodges band, the avant-garde group of Gil MellÈ, and the
trios of Bud Powell, Jutta Hipp, and Billy Taylor. During this period
he began to gain recognition though his performances in concerts,
nightclubs, recording studios and on the television series The Subject
is Jazz, He also became a clinician for the Ludwig drum company.

In 1959 he joined the Oscar Peterson Trio and also was an instructor
at The Advanced School of Conteporary Music, founded by Oscar
Peterson, bassist Ray Brown and composer Phil Nimmons in Toronto,
Canada. That same year Ed and Elvin Jones were tied for the New
Star on Drums in the Down Beat jazz critics¥ poll.
The Trio ñ still considered by many musicians and public to be the
greatest piano-bass-drums trio in the history of jazz ñ traveled the
world with Jazz at the Philharmonic. Ed recorded more than 5o
albums with Peterson before he left the group in 1965 and toured
with Ella Fitzgerald. In 1967, do settled in Los Angeles to do freelance
work.
Among the artists he performed with were Johnny
Mathis, Pat Boone, Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Oliver Nelson and
Gerald Wilson. In late 1968, Ed rejoined Ella Fitzgerald in a trio led
by Tommy Flanagan. Ed remained with Ella until September,1972,
when he settled in Denmark.

Europe: 1972 to present:

With Copenhagen as his base, he has continued his work as both a
performer and educator. Per-forming with both European and
Amerika artists in Sweden with singers Sylvia Vrethammer and
Alice Babs and throughout the continent with Kenny Drew, Sven
Asmussen, Ernie Wilkins, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander
and Thad Jones. He founded

his own group, Action-Reaction, and
also continued working as a teacher and clinician, giving courses on
jazz percussion at the Music HË?? gskolan in Sweden and presently
gives courses at the Rhythmic Conservatory in Copenhagen.

Ed has written and published five books, including Ed Thigpen Talking
Drums; a collaboration with Ray Brown called Be Our Guest; Rhythm
Analysis and Basic co-ordination, and The Sound of Brushes.
The most recent is a manual titled Rhythm Brought to Life. He has
made two instruction videos, Ed Thigpen on Jazz Drumming and The
Essence of Brushes.

Though he still has his main residence in Copenhagen, Ed in recent
years has been traveling extensively in the United States and
Canada, as well as europe, leading his own groups and performing as
a featured artist with others. He also continues to conduct clinics
and seminars throughout the world.

Equipment:

• Remo Drums
• Sabian Cymbals
• Regal Tip, sticks & brushes
• Gibraltar Hardware
• Shure Bros. Microphones
• Humes & Berg cases

Signature Equipment:

• Ed Thigpen Signature Crystal Ride Cymbals by Sabian.
• Crystal Rides: 22, 20, 18î
• Crystal Bell Rides: 22″, 20″, (med) & 18″ med.thin
• Crystal Bell Ride
• Ed Thigpen Signature Sticks and Brushes by Calato Regal Tip
• Ed Thigpen Signature Brush-Up practice pad by Remo

updated: January 2005