[1] Thomas's first professional gig was in New Orleans with trombone player Joe Harris in 1923.
Soon after that, he worked with Jack Carey, Chris Kelly, and Kid Rena.
[2] He led his own ensemble at New Orleans's H&J Tavern for much of the 1940s, then, in 1951, became a sideman for Papa Celestin.
He worked with this ensemble for years, including after Papa French and Eddie Pierson had taken over as leader.
Other associations in the 1950s and 1960s included work with Freddie Kohlman, Punch Miller, the Olympia Brass Band, and on Swedish television with Sweet Emma Barrett in 1968.