Gary Thomas

by Scott Yanow As with altoists Steve Coleman and Greg Osby, Gary Thomas has developed his own fresh approach to improvisation, avoiding bop clichés and taking solos that are consistently full of surprising twists and turns. Lots of chances are taken and, even if not everything works (the use of rap on one of his JMT albums is unfortunate), Gary Thomas music would never be called predictable. In the late 80s, Thomas gigged with both Miles Davis and Jack DeJohnettes Special Edition. He has also recorded frequently with Greg Osby, Michele Rosewoman, and Wallace Roney, in addition to leading his own sessions.