Joe Thomas (tenor saxophonist)

Joseph Vankert Thomas (June 19, 1909 – August 3, 1986)[1] was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and vocalist.

[2] Thomas played with Jimmie Lunceford's band from 1933 until the leader's death in 1947, often soloing and occasionally singing.

This band, containing trumpeter Johnny Grimes, trombonist Dicky Harris, baritone saxophonist Ben Kynard, pianist George Rhodes, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Joe Marshall, recorded between 1949 and 1951.

[2] Three years later Thomas also recorded with a septet that included Grimes, Harris, and Duvivier from his band three decades earlier.

[2] Grove Music commented that "His huge and occasionally grainy tone influenced an entire generation of saxophonists in the 1940s".