Leslie Thompson

October 17, 1901 (age 86)

Kingston, Jamaica

When he was 16, he joined the West India Regiment and played in their band locally in Kingston movie palaces in the 1920s, before moving to London in 1929 and studying at Kneller Hall. He had been unable to become a bandmaster in the army because of rules preventing black soldiers becoming officers. He also played euphonium and cornet. In 1930 he began playing with Spike Hughes, where he played trumpet, trombone, and double bass until 1932. In 1934-1935 he toured Europe with Louis Armstrong, then formed his own band, intended to be all-black (although initially with two white trombonists who blacked up), with the help of Ken Snakehips Johnson, who himself took over control of this band in 1936. Jiver Hutchinson was one of his sidemen. In 1936-1937 Thompson played with Benny Carter, and later in the 1930s played double bass with Edmundo Ros. He served in the Royal Artillery on the south coast during World World War II and was active in dance halls and nightclubs after the war, but stopped playing music professionally after 1954 and later became a parole officer He was inspired by Marcus Garvey and an Anglican.

Leslie Thompson

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jazz musician

Background

Thompson was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where he studied music as a child at the Roman Catholic Alpha Cottage School.

Career

When he was 16, he joined the West India Regiment and played in their band locally in Kingston movie palaces in the 1920s, before moving to London in 1929 and studying at Kneller Hall. He had been unable to become a bandmaster in the army because of rules preventing black soldiers becoming officers. He also played euphonium and cornet.

In 1930 he began playing with Spike Hughes, where he played trumpet, trombone, and double bass until 1932.

In 1934-1935 he toured Europe with Louis Armstrong, then formed his own band, intended to be all-black (although initially with two white trombonists who blacked up), with the help of Ken Snakehips Johnson, who himself took over control of this band in 1936. Jiver Hutchinson was one of his sidemen.

In 1936-1937 Thompson played with Benny Carter, and later in the 1930s played double bass with Edmundo Ros. He served in the Royal Artillery on the south coast during World World War II and was active in dance halls and nightclubs after the war, but stopped playing music professionally after 1954 and later became a parole officer

He was inspired by Marcus Garvey and an Anglican.

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Leslie Thompson

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