Career
Thomas started his music career with Cecil Scott in 1928, and played throughout the Midwest before moving to New York in 1934, where he became one of the most sought-after trumpeters of the 1930s and "40s. Those he worked with include Fletcher Henderson"s Orchestra (1934-1937), Fats Waller, Benny Carter (1939-1940), Joe Sullivan and Teddy Wilson"s Sextet (1942-1943), Claude Hopkins and many others He featured in Art Kane"s iconic 1958 photograph A Great Day in Harlem.
