Thomas was born in Houston, Texas, United States,[2] and displayed an early talent for blues playing and composition.

[2] Though he died at a young age, Thomas was nonetheless an influence on the Chicago boogie woogie school of pianists.

[3] The Thomas brothers also co-wrote "The Fives", which Ammons and Lewis cited as an essential boogie-woogie number.

[5] Sippie Wallace recorded seven of his compositions: "A Jealous Woman Like Me", "A Man for Every Day of the Week", "Dead Drunk Blues", "Have You Ever Been Down?

[6][7] Thomas died of food poisoning while working at Penny's Pleasure Inn in Detroit, Michigan.