Jennifer Thomas (pianist)
Jennifer Thomas | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | [1] | June 23, 1977
Origin | Seattle, Washington, United States |
Genres | Classical, crossover, new-age. |
Instruments | Piano, violin |
Labels | Independent |
Website |
www |
Jennifer Thomas (born June 23, 1977) is a multi award winning American pianist, violinist, composer, performing artist, and recording artist. She was classically trained at Brigham Young University-Idaho,[2] and started composing in 2003, later releasing her first debut album in 2007. Thomas has issued four albums, the latest 'Winter Symphony' released in November 2015.[3][4]
Thomas is known for writing and performing piano-centered orchestral music from classical music to classical music crossover and cinematic orchestral. While most of her works are original, she also covers classical pieces as well as pop music and movie soundtracks. Thomas has also composed film scores, where she won the Gold Medal of Excellence in the 2011 Park City Film Music Festival for "Music in a Short Film" [5] as well as a 2012 Hollywood Music in Media Award for "Best Film Score for Documentary/Short".[6]
In 2012 Thomas was named Classical Crossover UK's "Female Artist of the Year".[7]
Thomas' third album, "Illumination" won "Album of the Year" and "Artist of the Year" at the 2013 IMC Awards.[8][9] In October 2015 "Illumination" also won the "Classical Song of the Year" International Music and Entertainment Association Award [10] and the Enlightened Piano Radio Award for "Best piano album with instrumentation" at Carnegie Hall New York City - where she performed live at the awards ceremony.[11]
Winter Symphony - Jennifer Thomas (pianist) album Thomas' fourth album was released in November 2015. Mixed by 5 time Grammy Award winner Brian Vibberts, contributors included Ricky Kej and Taylor Davis (violinist). Following the album release, Thomas performed concerts at Salt Lake City, Atascocita, Texas and the Benaroya Hall Seattle.[2] The album has received many favorable reviews and during 2016 won several prestigious awards.
Discography
Albums:
- Key of Sea (2007)[12]
- The Lullaby Album, Vol 1 (2009)[13]
- The Lullaby Album, Vol 2 (2009)[14]
- Illumination (2012)[15]
- Winter Symphony (2015).[16][17]
Thomas also features on the following albums;
- Best of the Swan Lake: 2007 Moving Image & Music Award (2007) - Fly Away, Release, The Tempest [18]
- Roads: The Many Miles Music Artists (2014) - Into the Forest[19]
- These Miles (2014) - Jonathan Estabrooks [20]
- Love Language (Grammy nomination 2015) - Wouter Kellerman.[21][22][23]
- Dream It (2015) - sv:Viktoria Tocca [24]
- Merry Christmas (2015) - sv:Viktoria Tocca [25]
Film and TV
List:
- 2015 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Hannah Miller, Short program [26]
- 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Zagreb, Karen Chen [27]
- 2013 International Skating Union, Angela Wang JGP Baltic Cup Junior Ladies Short program [28]
- 2013 "Running the Edge", directed by Matt Trappe, song placements[29]
- 2011 Film score "Minuet", directed and written by Ryan K. McNeal, score by Jennifer Thomas [30][31]
- 2012 National Basketball Association Sports placements [32]
- 2012 NBC Universal Sports placements[33]
- 2014 MGM Equal Justice (TV series) placements [34]
- 2008 "Reasons", Poor Boyz Productions[35]
Awards and nominations
Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Holiday Album of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Winter Symphony | Won | |
2016 | Classical Artist of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Winter Symphony | Nominated | [37] |
2016 | Classical Song of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Winter Symphony | Won | |
2016 | Music Video of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Assoc Awards | Carol of the Bells | Nominated | [39] |
2016 | Global Peace Song Awards - Opera/Classical | Eventide | Won - Public Vote | [40] |
2016 | Global Peace Song Awards - A Cappella/Choral | Alleluia | Won - Jury Vote | [41] |
2016 | Best Music Video - Utah Music Awards | Carol of the Bells | Nominated | [42] |
2016 | Best Cinematography in a Music Video - Utah Music Awards | Carol of the Bells (cinematographer Tel Stewart) | Won | [43] |
2016 | Best Original Instrumental Song - Utah Music Awards | Winter Symphony | Nominated | [42] |
2016 | Best in Holiday Genre - Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won | [44] |
2016 | Best LIVE Classical Performance (Live at Benaroya Hall)- Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won | [45] |
2016 | Music Video of the Year Award (Alleluia) - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won | [46] |
2016 | Best Classical Music Video (Over $5,000) - Alleluia - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Won | [47] |
2016 | Best Female Classical Artist - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Nominated | [48] |
2016 | Best Classical Song - Indie Music Channel Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Nominated | [48] |
2016 | Holiday Album of the Year - Enlightened Piano Radio Awards | Winter Symphony | Nominated | [49] |
2016 | Global Music Awards 2016 | Winter Symphony | Silver Medal | [50] |
2016 | Album of the Year - Top 20 of 2015 Music Critic Michael Debbage | Winter Symphony | Won | [51] |
2015 | Classical Song of the Year - International Music and Entertainment Awards | Illumination | Won | [52] |
2015 | Best Orchestral Piano Album - Enlightened Piano Radio Awards | Illumination | Won | [53] |
2013 | Album of the Year - Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won | [8] |
2013 | Artist of the Year - Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won | [54] |
2013 | Best Soundtrack Artist - Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won | [55] |
2013 | Best Classical Artist - Indie Music Channel Awards | Illumination | Won | [56] |
2013 | Best Neo-Classical Album - ZMR Awards | Illumination | Nominated | [57] |
2012 | Top Female Artist of the Year - Classical Crossover UK | Illumination | Won | [7] |
2012 | The Indie Award - Classical Crossover UK | Illumination | Won | [58] |
2012 | Best Original Score - Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Minuet | Won | [59] |
2012 | Best Contemporary/Orchestral Song - Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Illumination | Nominated | [60] |
2012 | Piano Heaven UK | Illumination | Won | [61] |
2012 | Best Classical Song - Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Moonlight | Nominated | [62] |
2011 | Best Classical Song - Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Toccata and Fugue (Illumination) | Nominated | [63] |
2011 | Gold Medal of Excellence - Park City Film Music Festival | Minuet | Won | [5] |
2008 | Swan Lake Music and Motion Picture Awards - Audience Vote Award | Fly Away | Won | [64] |
2007 | Swan Lake Music and Motion Picture Awards - Digital Film | Release | Won | [65] |
Early life
Thomas was born in Seattle, Washington (state). She got her first toy piano at the age of 3, and began formal lessons on both the piano and violin at the age of 5, under the tutelage of her mother, Carolyn Southworth.[9] Her brothers also learned piano, violin, and cello from their mother. Jennifer and her older brother played in grade school orchestras, with Southworth as a conductor's assistant. Thomas continued to train classically, and was involved in many recitals and piano adjudications through her teen years. She played with various youth orchestras and high school orchestras. She performed at her high school graduation, and later went to Brigham Young University-Idaho.[9]
At Brigham Young University-Idaho, Thomas studied piano under Professor Stephen Allen. She was a member of the university's Piano Ensemble group, accompanied the College choir and many vocal/instrumental students, as well as played violin in the university symphony. Thomas also competed in the University's Concerto Competition, where she took 2nd place performing the Piano Concerto No. 3 (Prokofiev).[9]
After college graduation, Thomas moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and was a regular performer with the Temple Square Concert Series, and played violin in the Murray, Utah Symphony Orchestra. While performing with the Murray Symphony, Thomas was a featured soloist on the Edward MacDowell Piano Concerto No.2.[66] She eventually moved to Northwest, where she performed as a violinist with the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and worked for the Seattle Symphony in the Education Department. It was during her time working for the Seattle Symphony when she started composing her own original music.
Personal life
Thomas is married to Will Thomas, an ultra-marathon competitor who, in 2015, competed in the 106 mile race Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in France. Together, they have three children and reside in the Seattle Washington (state) area.[9]
References
- ↑ "My Story". Musical Meanderings. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- 1 2 "Her sounds of the season - Sequim Gazette". Sequim Gazette. Sound Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Coming this November – Winter Symphony! - Musical Meanderings". Musical Meanderings. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "Albums". Musical Meanderings. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- 1 2 "2011 Award Winners". Pcfmf.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Music Awards Los Angeles | Music Awards Hollywood". Hmmawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- 1 2 "The Indie Award 2012". Classical-crossover.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- 1 2 ""Illumination" Album Trailer - Jennifer Thomas (Classical Crossover Pianist/Violinist/Composer), Video". Firstpost. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Musical Meanderings : The Official Blog of Pianist and Composer Jennifer Thomas : My Story". Jenniferthomasmusic.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "2015 Winners | IMEA Awards". www.imeaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Enlightened Piano Radio Awards Ceremony and Concert". www.carnegiehall.org. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Key of Sea". iTunes. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ↑ "The Lullaby Album , Vol. 1 Piano With Orchestra". iTunes. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ↑ "The Lullaby Album, Vol. 2 Solo Piano". iTunes. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ↑ "Illumination". iTunes. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
- ↑ "iTunes Top New Christmas Albums". PopVortex. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Ensign Symphony & Chorus: Alleluia". www.seattlesymphony.org. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Best of the Swan Lake: 2007 Moving Image & Music Award: Various artists: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Roads: The Many Miles Music Artists: Various artists: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Jonathan Estabrooks: Many miles on this album's road". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "| GRAMMY.com". The GRAMMYs. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Love Language". Lovelanguagemusic.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
- ↑ "Wouter Kellerman - Love Language". www.mainlypiano.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Dream It". Viktoria Tocca. 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
- ↑ "Merry Christmas". Viktoria Tocca. 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
- ↑ "On The Ice | Hannah Miller :: Official Web Site". Figureskatersonline.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Entry/Resultlist". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
- ↑ "Angela Wang". icenetwork.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "RUNNING THE EDGE". Matt Trappe Photo & Film. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "Home". RKM Studios. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Minuet Award-Winning Short Film". YouTube. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Watch Live NBA Games with NBA LEAGUE PASS from NBA.COM". Watch.nba.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "World Beach Volleyball Championships Promo - Jennifer Thomas "Fly Away"". YouTube. 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Equal Justice, Season 2, Ep. 11 - Featuring music by Jennifer Thomas". YouTube. 2011-03-30. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Reasons - Poor Boyz Productions Store". poorboyzstore.com. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "2016 Winners | IMEA Awards". www.imeaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- ↑ "2016 Nominees IMEA Awards". www.imeaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
- ↑ "2016 Winners | IMEA Awards". www.imeaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- ↑ "2016 Nominees IMEA Awards". www.imeaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
- ↑ "News & Finalists - Global Peace Song Awards 2017". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
- ↑ "News & Finalists - Global Peace Song Awards 2016". Global Peace Song Awards 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
- 1 2 http://www.theutahmusicawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2016-UMA-Nominees.pdf
- ↑ "Utah Music Awards – 2016 UMA Winners Announced". www.theutahmusicawards.com. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
- ↑ "HMMA Winners – Hollywood Music In Media Awards | HMMA". www.hmmawards.com. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ↑ "Indie Music Channel".
- ↑ "Indie Music Channel".
- ↑ "Indie Music Channel".
- 1 2 "Indie Music Channel".
- ↑ "Enlightened Piano Events Awards Cruise 6th to 10th October 2016". www.enlightenedpiano.com. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ↑ "Global Music Awards".
- ↑ "Michael's 2015 Favorites". www.mainlypiano.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "2015 Winners IMEA Awards". www.imeaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Enlightened Piano Radio - Awards Ceremony & Concert | The Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall | All-Ages, Classical, Jazz | New York News, Food, Culture and Events". Village Voice. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ Artist of the Year - Indie Music Channel Awards
- ↑ "Soundtrack Nominees". Theindiemusicchannel.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Classical Nominees". Theindiemusicchannel.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Illumination : Jennifer Thomas : 2012". Zonemusicreporter.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Best Female Award 2012" (JPG). Jenniferthomasmusic.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "2012 Hollywood Music in Media Awards - Composer Jennifer Thomas Wins Best Original Score". YouRepeat. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ Hollywood Music in Media Awards. "Music Awards Los Angeles - Music Awards Hollywood". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
- ↑ "Piano-Heaven Award Winner". Piano-heaven.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Music Awards Los Angeles | Music Awards Hollywood". Hmmawards.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "jennifer thomas". Linescratchers. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Info". newagepiano.net. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "Best of the Swan Lake: 2007 Moving Image & Music Award - Microsoft Store". Microsoft.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "MacDowell Concerto - Murray Symphony 2002". Indie Music Channel. 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
External links
- Jennifer Thomas official website
- Illumination music video
- All Music
- Reviews
- WordPress Musical Meanderings
- Interview