Charles Mingus Mini-Fest: Night 1

This first night will feature:

7:00 PM –  Thoth Trio

8:15 PM – post-concert panel hosted by Thomas Wendt including audience Q&A with the Thoth Trio band members and Mensah Wali from Kente Arts Alliance

All programs are curated by Thomas Wendt and David Throckmorton. Please RSVP to each night separately. Click here to register for Night Two. 

Featured Musicians: Thoth Trio
Ben Opie – saxophones
Paul Thompson – acoustic bass
David Throckmorton – drums

Curated by:

David Throckmorton has performed all over the world with artists including: Maynard Ferguson, David Fiuczynski, Tony Grey, Hotei and Javon Jackson. David is 1/3 of DTC Organ Trio featuring guitarist Dan Wilson, and organist Cliff Barnes. David leads or co-leads his own ensembles including Beam, Thoth Trio, Smash Your Wagon and The David Throckmorton Quartet. David performs clinics and masterclasses worldwide and endorses Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals and Vic Firth Drumsticks.

Thomas Wendt has been playing the drums professionally since the age of 14. A graduate of The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, he has studied with master drummers Roger Humphries, Joe Harris, and Kenny Washington. Thomas maintains a busy freelancing schedule with Pittsburgh’s top jazz artists such as Dwayne Dolphin, Joe Negri, Sean Jones, Dave & Maureen Budway, Kenia, the Latin jazz group, Salsamba, and the newly re-formed Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. He has also played with many visiting international artists like David “Fathead” Newman, Donald Byrd, James Moody, Jimmy Heath to name a few. In 2008, Thomas played on the Emmy Award winning soundtrack for the PBS documentary, “Fly Boys” and in 2010 he recorded an album featuring trombonists Jay Ashby and Steve Davis. Thomas appeared at The 2012 Litchfield Jazz Festival with jazz legend Hubert Laws and in 2013 performed with pianist Alan Broadbent for the Nyack NY Library Concert Series. Since 1998 he has been on the faculty at the Afro-American Music Institute in Homewood.