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Craig Thomas, Vocals and Sax - R & B, Blues, Funk and Jazz

Craig Thomas is a singer, musician, and writer whose style is strong rhythm and blues with rock and jazz influences. He is able to shout out traditional blues, whisper a soft melodic ballad, or slide through a slick jazzy disco-pop tune with equal skill and an underlying soulful feeling. He is an accomplished instrumentalist, playing the saxophone, flute, clarinet, guitar, and percussion in the studio and in live performances. Craig is also a songwriter, and has contributed to tunes that have appeared on Jim Messina and Mike Love (of the Beach Boys) albums.

PROFESSIONAL CREDITS:

2005 – Club Dates and performances at most of the same venues., including two appearances with Aretha Franklin, September 14th at Humphrey’s by the Sea in San Diego and September 17th at the Santa Barbara County Bowl. Studio recordings with producer Preston Glass for among others jazz pianist Billy Shields. Contracting included twelve musicians for two Donna Summer shows, August 31st at the Santa Barbara County Bowl and September 4th at the Grove in Anaheim.

2000-4 – I n October, Craig was the featured tenor saxophone soloist with Les McCann at the Los Angeles Jazz Society 22nd annual jazz tribute awards dinner concert honoring among others Patti Austin, Sam Nestico, Red Holloway, and Les McCann as the 2004 tribute honoree. Performances at venues in Southern California including Capistrano’s, Michael D’s, the Strawberry Festival, Casa Pacifica, Eric Erickson’s, the Pierpont Inn, the Ranch House, Spanish Hills, the Bombay, and the Tower Club in Ventura County; Bacara, SOhO, the Santa Barbara Biltmore, the San Ysidro Ranch, Paseo Nuevo, Rocks, the Montecito Country Club, the Lemon Festival, the El Encanto, and El Capitan Ranch, the Gainey, Firestone, Fess Parker, Sunstone, and Rideau Wineries in Santa Barbara County; Charlie O’s, the Los Angeles Biltmore, Padre’s, the Los Angeles Country Club, the Beverly Hilton, Cicada, the Monsoon, and the Anaheim Mariott in the Los Angeles area, with various ensembles under the name of Craig Thomas and with Les McCann, Jeanne Tatum, the Bomb, Domino Affect, Higher Ground, Synergy, Art Deco, Jana and the One, the Bombers, the Boyd Cannon Band, and Swingshift.. Studio appearances with producers Ken Stange and Preston Glass. Produced a CD for the National Psoriasis Foundation and Biogen called “Step Into My Skin” with keyboardist Robert Van.

1998-99 - Performing numerous engagements all over Southern California, including the Strawberry Festival with Domino Affect. Saxophone for TV and radio spots for the Boston Store. With Domino Affect, performing at the Cancer Benefit for the Eric Davis Foundation in January, 2000.

1997 - Craig and his partner, keyboardist and writer Terry Murphy, released "Yeah, Right!", a CD on Play Me Records, as the smooth jazz group Domino Affect. It is currently receiving airplay on KMGQ, 97.5 FM in Santa Barbara and Ventura.

1996 - Craig performed at venues throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
His saxophone can be heard on a Serta Mattress commercial.

1994-95 - In '95, Craig's saxophone can be heard on the latest Mazda Millenia television commercial. Performing currently as a solo artist and with Domino Affect (a.k.a. Domino Effect) at Southern California venues including the Ventura County Food & Wine Festival, the Strawberry Festival, the Waterside Blues & Jazz Festival, Friends & Strangers Jazz Entertainment Club, SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, & St Marks. Craig appears in music scenes for a movie entitled "Steal Big, Steal Little" starring Andy Garcia and Alan Arkin. Currently with popular Santa Barbara based R & B group Uncle Slam with drummer producer Ben Margulies of Mariah Carey fame.

1993 - Toured with singer Tom Jones. Sang on jingle for “Picadilly” restaurants. Performed in the Southern California area as a leader and a sideman at various different venues.

1991-92 - Performed showcases with Domino Effect, an R & B jazz group led by Kenny McDougald, composer of the tune, “Champagne” for Kenny G’s “Duotones” album, at such venues as At My Place.

1990 - Sang the songs “One Touch”, written by Al Jarreau and Preston Glass for new saxophone artist Warren Hill’s album released in March ’91, and “Bring Me a Dream”, written by Martha Davis and Gary Chang for the Jean-Claude van Damme movie “Death Warrant”. Sang and played sax on “Be Careful What You Ask For”, a television pilot. Played sax solos for albums by Christopher Cross and Kathy Sledge.

1989 - Played sax and sang on albums by Jermaine Jackson, Smokey Robinson, and English group Giant Steps for producers Preston Glass, Brian Ray and Steve LaGassick.

1988 - Played sax and sang on albums by Johnny Mathis and Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson for producers Preston Glass and Larry Graham. Sang the song “Fair Weather Lover” for Preston Glass’s PGP project. Sang “I Get Up Again” for producer Peter Wolf to be on an upcoming Bill Medley album.

1986-87 - Sang “I’m On My Own” featured in the movie, “Maid to Order” starring Ally Sheedy. Played sax on three cuts from the album “Let it be Me” by Audrey Wheeler. Sang promotional ad for television show “Rock ‘n’ Roll Evening News”. Sang the original demo for “One Heartbeat”, hit song and title cut for the Smokey Robinson album.

1985 - Sang on the album “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” by Aretha Franklin on Arista records. Featured lead vocalist for saxophonist Clarence Clemons’ album “Hero” on Columbia records. Various other studio projects with producer Narada Michael Walden. Formed group C.T. and the Soul Rockers, a popular nightclub attraction in Southern California.

1982-84 - Toured with Captain and Tennille. Recorded an album and performed with the popular R & B group, the Bombers. Lead singer with Oasis, a pop rock group from Southern California.

1981 - Sang and played saxophone for the album “Looking Back with Love” by Mike Love of the Beach Boys. Co-wrote the title track.

1978-81 - Sang and played saxophone, flute, and clarinet for the albums “Oasis” and “Messina” for Jim Messina on Columbia records. Co-wrote three songs with Messina for “Oasis”. Extensive touring with Jim Messina’s band.