Background
Thigpen, Edmund Leonard was born on December 28, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Benjamin and Mary (Barry) Thigpen.
Thigpen, Edmund Leonard was born on December 28, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Benjamin and Mary (Barry) Thigpen.
Student, Manhattan School Music, 1955.
Drummer, percussionist Billy Taylor Trio, New York City, 1956-1958, Oscar Peterson, 1959-1965, Ella Fitzgerald, 1966-1972. Clinician Ludwig Drum Company, Chicago, 1956-1981. Instructor jazz oriented percussion studies Musilhogskolany, Malmo, Sweden, 1977-1984.
Guest instructor American Conservatory, Chicago. Consultant/clinician Remo Inc./Sabian Ltd./Celato Manufacturing, Company Action Reaction United States of America, Inc. Instructor Copenhagen Conservatory for Jazz and Latin American Music.
With United States Army, 1951-1954, Korea. Member Percussive Arts Society, National Association Jazz Educators, International Association Jazz Educators.
Married Ingelise Nielsen (deceased 1981). Children: Denise Mary, Michel Edmund.