Walter Purl "Foots" Thomas (February 10, 1907 – August 26, 1981)[1] was an American saxophonist, flutist, and arranger in Cab Calloway's orchestra, one of the most famous bands of the swing era in jazz.
Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Thomas moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he played in Ed Allen's Whispering Band of Gold in the early 1920s.
[3] In 1927, Thomas moved to New York City, where he played with the New Orleans pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton[4] and Joe Steele.
[7] During the mid-1940s he taught at a studio on West 48th Street in New York City; among his students was the hard bop alto saxophonist Jackie McLean.
[12] Thomas lived with his wife, Marlyne, and their children in Englewood, New Jersey, near his old friend the trombonist Tyree Glenn, with whom he spent much time in retirement.