Fred Thomas is an ECM artist who studied at the Royal Academy of Music. He is one of London’s most sought after multi-instrumentalists and composer/arranger/producers. A member of the FIRE Collective, he is known for his breadth of musical styles as well as for specialising in creative re-interpretations of J.S. Bach, with solo albums on Odradek and The Silent Howl. His ECM New Series debut as a leader is a trio and solo piano Bach album entitled “Three or One”, released the 22nd October 2021, featuring Lucy Railton and Aisha Orazbayeva. He is also part of ECM’s jazz label, appearing on “Lost Ships” with Elina Duni, Rob Luft and Mathieu Michel.
In 2018 Thomas recorded with Brian Eno for a forthcoming project. He has also appeared or collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Jordi Savall, Meredith Monk, Jarvis Cocker, Ethan Iverson, Larry Grenadier, Benoît Delbecq, Tamara Stefanovich, Elizabeth Kenny, Leo Abrahams, Kit Downes, Kadialy Kouyate and Olivia Chaney as well as record labels Harmonica Mundi and Realworld. He is currently working on a Bach Cantatas publication with Baroque cellist Beiliang Zhu and violinist Rachel Podger.
He works regularly as Musical Director with the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe. He teaches at Trinity Laban, is published by Spartan Press and Edition Wilhelm Hansen, and has produced albums for labels such as Warner Classics with international artists such as Abel Selaocoe, The Magic Lantern and Alice Zawadzki. His most recent compositions were performed internationally and at the Royal Opera House, by ensembles such as Phaedra Ensemble and Bittersuite.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Fred Thomas (BMus Lond. Royal Academy of Music) (ARAM)
www.fred-thomas.co.uk
CURRENT PROJECTS
Solo Piano (J.S. Bach)
Polyphonic Jazz Band (MD)
Fred Thomas Bach Trio (MD)
Dick Wag: a Tribute to Richard Wagner, feat/ Benoît Delbecq – (MD)
JS Banjo
Martin Speake/Ethan Iverson Quartet
Ruth Bruckner & Fred Thomas
The Beguilers (MD)
Elina Duni
Alice Zawadzki
The Magic Lantern
BitterSuite
F-IRE Collective
Thomas Duo
Monk Spent Youth
Phelan Burgoyne Group
Kadialy Kouyate/Fred Thomas Duo
PAST PROJECTS
Electrofeit
Chantilly Codex
Fred Thomas Jazz Trio
Mor Karbasi (MD)
Lisa Knapp
Alex Bonney/Fred Thomas Duo
Jiri Slavik/Fred Thomas Duo
Basquiat Strings
Fly Agaric
F-IRE Klang Codex
Fred Thomas/Oren Marshall Duo
Sister Mary & the Choir Boys (MD)
Barnaby Keen Band
Clara Sanabras
El Ultimo Tango
Ensemble Nuevo Tango
Fernando Egozcue
COLLABORATORS/APPEARED WITH
Brain Eno, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Jordi Savall, Jarvis Cocker, Ethan Iverson, Elina Duni, Tamara Stefanovich, Leo Abrahams, Benoit Delbecq, Liam Noble, Elysian Quartet, Jeanne Added, Mor Karbasi, Native Dancer, Adriano Adewale, Kammer Klang, Phil Robson, Mark Lockheart, Jason Yarde, Maurizio Ravalico, Julian Siegel, Zac Gvi, The Memory Band, Christine Tobin, Byron Wallen, Liam Byrne, Resonance FM, BBC, CBSO, Seb Rochford, Kit Downes, Pete Flood, Alice Zawadzki, Phaedra Ensemble.
TEACHING
Trinity Laban
Chichester University
Prague Academy of Performing Arts
North London Music Academy
Christ’s Hospital School
Barbican Centre (with Michael Rosen)
Private Tuition
Teachers: Dave Holland, John Taylor, Avishai Cohen, Marc Copland, Fred Hersch, Pete Churchill, Barak Schmool, Oren Marshall, Gerard Presencer, Gwilym Simcock, Huw Warren, Billy Jenkins, Newton Armstrong.
PRODUCING
Elina Duni
Quest Ensemble
Balladeste
Alice Zawadzki
The Magic Lantern
Lily Luca
The Beguilers
Adam Beattie
Garance Louis
Ellie Rose Rusbridge
Rhia Parker
Miranda Joy
THEATRE/DANCE
Shakespeare’s Globe (MD)
The National Theatre
Filter Theatre
Everyman Theatre
Aldeburgh Festival
Spanish National Dance Company
The Yard Theatre
Richmix
Greenwich Dance Agency
PUBLISHING
‘J.S. Bach – 39 Chorale Preludes’ published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen
‘10 Bach Fugues for String Quartet, Volumes I and II’ – Spartan Press