Noal Cohen's Jazz History Website

Jazz History and Discography

Lucky Thompson Timeline

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First published June 19, 2023. This timeline will be modified as comments are received. Please use the contact form to submit additions or corrections. See also Lucky Thompson Discography: 1943-1950, 1951-1956, 1957-1974.

Latest update June 29, 2023

  • 1923   Born in Columbia, SC on June 16 to Levi (Eli) Thompson, Sr. and Azalee Dawkins Thompson. Family moves to Detroit, MI. Mother Azalee dies shortly after move.
  • Early 1940s      Does not own a saxophone until age 17 but teaches himself fingering early on by carving notches in a broom handle. Attends Cass Technical High School and begins playing professionally just 6 months after acquiring his first instrument. Advertised as “Detroit’s own sensational young tenor sax star!” Studies with Clarence Byrne and with Francis Hellstein of Detroit Symphony, harmony and theory under John Phelps. First job with the “Bama State Collegians” led by Claude Trenier.
  • 1943   Plays in the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Billy Eckstine.
  • 1944   First studio recordings with Hot Lips Page for Commodore Records (Mar.). Also records with Lucky Millinder Band (Decca Records, May) and Page again in November for the Continental label.
  • 1944   Replaces Illinois Jacquet in Count Basie Band and records for Columbia Records in December soloing on “Taps Miller.”
  • 1944   Jam sessions at the home of Timme Rosenkrantz in New York City with Erroll Garner and Stuff Smith (recorded).
  • Probably 1944   Marries Thelma Lowe (sometimes billed as “Love”), a singer and artist. [Date needs confirmation]
  • 1945   Records again with Basie for Columbia soloing on “Avenue C” (Feb.).
  • 1945   Lucky Thompson’s daughter Jade born in Harlem (New York City) (Feb.).
  • 1945   First recording session as leader with octet for Excelsior Records. Wife Thelma Lowe Thompson sings on two tracks (Fall).
  • 1945   Records with Slim Gaillard for Queen Records (Oct.).
  • 1945   Records with Oscar Pettiford and Estelle Edson for Black & White label (Nov.).
  • 1945   Records with Willie Smith Sextet for Sunset label (Nov.).
  • 1945   First of many recordings with Boyd Raeburn Orchestra for AFRS (Dec.).
  • 1945   Three recording sessions with Dinah Washington for Apollo Records (Dec.).
  • 1946   Quartet recording for Atomic Records under leadership of pianist Dodo Marmarosa (Jan.).
  • 1946   Records with Charles Mingus Orchestra for Excelsior Records (Jan.).
  • 1946   Records with Dizzy Gillespie Sextet for Dial. Early bebop classics – “Confirmation,” “Diggin’ for Diz,” “Dizzy Atmosphere,” “‘Round Midnight.” (Feb. 6-7)
  • 1946   Records with Jimmy Mundy Orchestra (AFRS).
  • 1946   Dial recording session in Los Angeles  with Charlie Parker Septet – bebop classics – “Night in Tunisia,” “Moose the Mooche,” “Ornithology,” “Yardbird Suite” (Mar. 28).
  • 1946   Concert at Compton Junior College with Jack McVea, Irving Ashby (August).
  • 1946   Records soundtrack for the movie New Orleans in Hollywood with Louis Armstrong (Sep.).
  • 1946   Records with Ivie Anderson for Black & White label (Oct.).
  • 1946   Part of Norman Granz’ The Jazz Scene project led by Ralph Burns and George Handy (Oct.).
  • 1947   Lucky Thompson and His Lucky Seven record for RCA Victor (Apr.). “Just One More Chance” is compared to Coleman Hawkins’ “Body and Soul.” Octet includes Benny Carter on alto saxophone.
  • 1947   Records with Mills Blue Rhythm Band for Royale Records.
  • 1947   Leads a quartet session in Hollywood for Down Beat/Swingtime label (July).
  • 1947   Thompson honored as Esquire Magazine’s new star awardee for 1947. Pianist Dodo Marmarosa also gets award.
  • 1948   Flies to Nice, France for First International Festival; altercation with Joe Glaser, Louis Armstrong’s manager, negatively affects Thompson’s career. First appearances in Europe.
  • 1949   Settles in New York City after three years in Los Angeles and appears with Charlie Parker at the Royal Roost and Oscar Pettiford on WPIX-TV.
  • 1950   Backs vocalist Al Hibbler on Atlantic Records session (April).
  • 1950   Leads his octet on a recording for Triumph Records – “Over the Rainbow.” (mid-year)
  • 1950   Plays with Fletcher Henderson Sextet at Café Society (Dec.).
  • 1951   Records with Basie for Columbia – “Little Pony” session with Wardell Gray (Apr.).
  • 1951   Records with pop vocalist Johnnie Ray for Columbia – 4 bar intro on “Coffee and Cigarettes” (Oct.).
  • 1952   Thelonious Monk Sextet session for Blue Note Records with Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson, Nelson Boyd, Max Roach (May) – difficult Monk tunes: “Skippy,” “Hornin’ In,” “Sixteen,” “Let’s Cool One.”
  • 1952   Backs Jimmy Scott with nonet for Decca (Aug.).
  • 1953   Leads octet for Decca session (“Flamingo”) (Aug.).
  • 1954   Another Decca session Lucky Thompson and His Lucky Seven (Mar.).
  • 1954   Miles Davis All Star Sextet records for Prestige Records (Apr.) (“Walkin,’” “Blue ‘N’ Boogie”) – early classic hard bop session with J.J. Johnson, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke.
  • 1954   Dizzy Gillespie Big Band – Afro sessions for Norgran Records (May, Sept.).
  • 1954   Leads quintet for Urania Records – Accent on Tenor Sax; also sessions led by Jimmy Hamilton and Jack Teagarden for same label (Oct.).
  • 1954   King Pleasure records “You’re Crying” for Prestige Records (Dec.).
  • 1955   Third Stream session (John Lewis, Gunther Schuller) for Norgran Records (Modern Jazz Society) (Mar.).
  • 1955   Thompson friends with boxer Archie Moore and lets Moore sit in (bass) with his band (Aug.).
  • 1955   Jo Jones Septet session for Vanguard Records (Aug.).
  • 1955   Jimmy Cleveland Septet records for EmArcy Records (Aug., Nov.).
  • 1955   Lucky Thompson’s son Darryl (“Bo-Bi”) born in New York City (Dec.).
  • 1956   Milt Jackson quintet sessions for Savoy Records (Jan.) and sextet for Atlantic.
  • 1956   Lucky Thompson Trio and Quintet sessions for ABC- Paramount Records featuring Oscar Pettiford (Jan., Dec.).
  • 1956   First extended stay in Paris starts in February and lasts through April. Many recordings with local musicians and ex-patriots.
  • 1956   Joins Stan Kenton Band in Paris substituting for baritone saxophonist Jack Nimitz (May).
  • 1956   Back in New York City, records Cuban Fire with Kenton for Capitol Records on tenor saxophone (May).
  • 1956   With Oscar Pettiford Orchestra, records for ABC-Paramount including his composition “Deep Passion” – Oscar Pettiford Orchestra in Hi-Fi (June).
  • 1956   Lionel Hampton Septet records for Jazztone Records (Aug.).
  • 1956   Quincy Jones Orchestra records for ABC-Paramount – This is How I Feel About Jazz (Sept.).
  • 1956   Backs Johnny Hartman for Bethlehem label – All of Me with Ernie Wilkins arrangements (Nov.).
  • 1956   Part of Quincy Jones big band behind Dinah Washington for Mercury Records – The Swinging’ Miss D (Dec.).
  • 1956   Part of band backing Sammy Davis, Jr. for Decca Records – Sammy Swings (Dec.).
  • 1956   In Sy Oliver band backing Louis Armstrong for Decca Records – A Musical Autobiography sessions (Dec.).
  • 1956   Records with Chris Connor for Atlantic Records (Dec.).
  • 1957   Milt Jackson Sextet session for Atlantic – Plenty, Plenty Soul (Jan.).
  • 1957   Ralph Sharon Sextet sessions with Pettiford for Rama Records (Jan.-Feb.).
  • 1957   Louis Armstrong – Louis and the Angels sessions for Decca (Jan.).
  • 1957   Returns to Paris and records with Eddie Barclay Orchestra, Sammy Price, June Richmond, Martial Solal, Kenny Clarke (May- Sept.).
  • 1958   Spends most of the year off the scene, living with his family (Thelma (spouse), Jade (daughter), Darryl (son)) on a 35-acre farm in Belleville, MI.
  • 1958   Only documented example of Thompson playing flute occurs in Paris, France – radio broadcast (Dec.).
  • 1959   Performs with Kurt Edelhagen Orchestra in Cologne, Germany (Jan.).
  • 1959   First studio recording of Thompson on soprano saxophone for Symphonium label in Paris (Jan.) – year before John Coltrane records on the instrument.
  • 1959   Performs throughout Europe with quartets often including local musicians.
  • 1959   First NDR (North German Radio Network) Jazz Workshop (No. 6) that Thompson performs on from Hamburg, Germany on April 17.
  • 1959   Radio broadcast with Oscar Pettiford ensemble from Baden-Baden, Germany (July).
  • 1959   Appears at Blue Note Club in Paris with Bud Powell (Nov.) (video).
  • 1960   Thompson’s octet on French TV from Blue Note in Paris with his wife Thelma on vocals (Feb.) (video).
  • 1960   NDR Jazz Workshop No. 13 from Hamburg (Apr.).
  • 1960   Thompson’s octet on French TV from Club. St. Germain, Paris with his wife Thelma on vocals (May) (video).
  • 1960   Thompson’s son Kim born in Paris (Sept.).
  • 1960   Appears with duo and trio at memorial for Oscar Pettiford in Paris (Oct.).
  • 1960   NDR Workshop No. 16 from Hamburg (Nov.).
  • 1961   Is part of soundtracks for French movies.
  • 1961   Records in Paris with quartet including Martial Solal for English Candid label – Lord, Lord, Am I Ever Gonna Know? (Spring).
  • 1961   NDR Jazz Workshop No. 19 from Hamburg – all Thompson compositions and arrangements performed by octet (Apr.).
  • 1961   Records in Stockholm with Harry Arnold Big Band (Aug.).
  • 1962   NDR Jazz Workshop No. 25 from Frankfurt (May).
  • 1962   Appears with quartet at Molde (Norway) Festival (Aug.) (film and radio).
  • 1963   Wife Thelma dies of a stroke at age 39. Jet Magazine reports she had been separated from Lucky for a year.
  • 1963   Returns to USA and records for Moodsville Records with quartet – Lucky Thompson Plays Jerome Kern and No More (Mar.). First recording of Thompson on soprano saxophone in USA.
  • 1964   Octet appears at The Little Theater in New York City – concert recorded but not issued until 2009 (Feb.).
  • 1964   Quartet records for Prestige Records in New York City – Lucky Strikes (Sept.).
  • 1964   Records a track for Johnny Dankworth’s Zodiac Variations (Oct.).
  • 1964   Quincy Jones I/We Had a Ball recording session in New York City for Limelight Records (Dec.).
  • 1965   Quartet recording for Rivoli Records in New York City – Lucky Is Back! & Kinfolks Corner.
  • 1965   Quintet with harpist records for Prestige Records – Happy Days Are Here Again (Feb.).
  • 1965   Quartet performs at Half Note Club in New York City with pianist Paul Neves – radio broadcast – recording issued in 2009 (Feb.).
  • 1965   One-off recordings with Art Blakey (Soul Finger, Limelight) and Benny Carter (A Man Called Adam, Reprise).
  • 1965   Quartet performs at Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore (Dec.).
  • 1966   Quartet performs at Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore (Apr.).
  • 1968   Thompson returns to Europe and performs in several countries. Lives in Switzerland where Darryl and Kim attend a private school.
  • 1969   Thompson records in Germany with a sextet for MPS Records – A Lucky Songbook in Europe (Mar.).
  • 1970   Thompson performs his composition “Sea Esther” in Zagreb with RTV Zagreb Big Band (Apr.).
  • 1970   Quartet recording with Tete Montoliu Trio in Barcelona, Spain for Ensayo label, reissued in USA as Body and Soul on Nessa Records.
  • 1971   Back in USA, appears on Like It Is TV show with quartet (Dec.).
  • 1972   Thompson becomes one of first recipients of Duke Ellington Medal and becomes an Ellington Fellow at Yale University (Willie Ruff Professor there) – performs at award ceremony (Oct.).
  • 1972   Quartet records for Groove Merchant label – Goodbye Yesterday.
  • 1973   Quartet records for Groove Merchant label – I Offer You. Thompson’s last studio recording.
  • 1974   Becomes visiting professor at Dartmouth College.
  • 1974   Concert at Dartmouth backed by Hank Jones, Ron Carter, Tony Williams (Apr.).
  • 1974   Performs at Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore with Sonny Stitt, Cedar Walton. Sam Jones, Louis Hayes (June).
  • 1974   Leaves music permanently and has no permanent address or occupation – only 51 years old.
  • 1977   Son Kim dies while in police custody, at age 17. (Nov.)
  • 1981   Interviewed by Christopher Kuhl in Savannah, GA – transcript published in New Arts Review (1981) and Cadence Magazine (1982).
  • Late 1980s   Discovered living in Seattle, WA area in an unhoused condition. Visits Seattle record stores where he is recognized and provided housing assistance.
  • 2004   Saxophonist Tad Shull’s essay “When Backward Comes Out Ahead: Lucky Thompson’s Phrasing and Improvisation” published in Annual Review of Jazz Studies.
  • 2005   Thompson visited by members of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in his nursing home in Seattle (Jan.). Article about encounter by trumpeter Marcus Printup  appears in DownBeat Magazine (May 2006 issue).
  • 2005   Thompson dies in Seattle nursing home July 30, 2005, from Alzheimer’s Disease.
  • 2006   Four day Chris Byars tribute to Thompson at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City with various ensembles.
  • 2007   Saxophonist Michael Blake records The World Awakes: A Tribute to Eli “Lucky” Thompson (Stunt Records CD).
  • 2009   Pianist Eric Reed’s quartet with saxophonist Victor Goines performs a week-long tribute to Thompson at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola in New York City (Dec.).
  • 2010   Noal Cohen and Chris Byars publish an article, “Lucky Thompson in Paris: The 1961 Candid Records Session” in Current Research in Jazz.
  • 2011   Saxophonist Chris Byars records a CD tribute to Thompson with an octet – Lucky Strikes Again – for the Danish SteepleChase label.
  • 2014   Son Darryl dies in Stone Mountain, GA at age 58. He was an accomplished guitarist who worked in jazz, blues and rock genres and also a wire artist (jewelry maker). (May)
  • 2023   Lucky Thompson Centennial: June 16, 1923 – June 16, 2023.