Alphonso Thomas had no idea what his future held when he learned to play on a
borrowed saxophone at age 14. But he did have a vision and the talent and drive
that ultimately shaped his career.
Alphonso Thomas had no idea what his future held when he learned to play on a
borrowed saxophone at age 14. But he did have a vision and the talent and drive
that ultimately shaped his career.
After graduating from Eufaula High School, Alphonso joined the U.S. Air Force and began his musical career touring the southeastern United States and Europe with the Air Force band. While with the Air Force Band, Al played tenor saxophone in a 19-piece dance band, a nine-piece pop group, concert band and, of course the traditional military marching band.
After four years of travel, Al decided to return to school full time and later graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University. He moved to Southern California where he attended the Grove School of Music for a short time and then to New England, studying with Michael Taylor at the New England Conservatory and spending two semesters at the Berklee College of Music. While in the Boston area, Al was in high demand as a jazz, R&B and gospel soloist. He headlined for five consecutive years at the Hanscom AFB Black History Month Jazz Night and was a solo performer for four consecutive years at "A Joyful Noise," a gospel celebration at Harvard University honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In spite of relocating to Georgia, Al is still in demand. In addition to local
Gospel and Jazz events, he has flown to Cancun, Mexico to perform for DuPont
Pharmaceutical and also back to Boston to perform at the Hines Convention Center
along with the Baystate Chorale, pianist James Early, and tap dance legend
Jimmy Slide. Al was recently featured on the nationally broadcast "Say
Yes," hosted by Candi Staton on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and "Babbie's
House," hosted by Babbie Mason on the Sky Angel Network.
Al regularly "gives back" to the community's youth. He's conducted an instrumental music workshop for the Mountain Movers youth choir of Middle Georgia, performed and spoke for the Annual Alabama Housing Authority State basketball Championship, played a benefit concert for his hometown high school band and provided educational demonstrations at local elementary schools. In preparation for a series of Gospel-Jazz performances, Al has participated in workshops directed by Steven Taylor and Troy Snead, and attended the Babbie Mason Ministries Gospel Music Seminar. The first of these performances were at Camden, SC and at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, GA.
Al's debut recording project, “While We Still Can,” includes 7 original songs co-written and produced by LeRoix Hampton III. Though the album is still a local release, both fans and record industry personnel are excited about the recording and the bright future of this "incredible talent."
For more information, you can visit Alphonso’s website at http://www.alphonsothomas.com.