Allan Thomas

  One of the most talented and gifted musicians I've met in recent months is vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Allan Thomas. Allan's work is bluesy, soulful, funky, nuanced, and instantly catchy. Based in Hawaii and with an audience that extends around the globe, Allan produces both vocal music and instrumental music. I've posted two of Allan's songs. The first 'It All Comes Down To Love' is a personal favorite and features Allan on vocals, the second 'El Sueno De Repitido' is an instrumental, pure funky jazz with a deep Latin twist. You can hear more from Allan Thomas on Spotify - Allan Thomas

THE MUSICAL JOURNEY of ALLAN THOMAS

Allan Thomas’ musical adventure began in Brooklyn, NY when, at age 12, he joined a doo-wop vocal group, performing at local events. At age 18, he signed his first solo record deal with famed producer Huey P. Meaux, and released his first single on Scepter Records.

Becoming a songwriter at 19, Allan soon played the coffee house circuit in Greenwich Village backing himself on acoustic guitar. In 1971 Sire Records released his first album of original songs ‘A Picture’ produced by Richard Gottehrer. To support the album he toured the US opening for acts such as Cannonball Adderley Quintet, Weather Report, Richie Havens, and elder blues men Bukka White and Arthur Crudup.

In 1972, Mr Thomas was invited to improvise vocals on the Cannonball Adderley Quintet song ‘Behold’ under the nom de plume Arthur Charma, which appeared on the groups ‘Soul of the Bible’ concept album, featuring Cannonball and Nat Adderley, and George Duke. Subsequently he sang improvisational vocals with the quintet at the Troubadour and Lighthouse clubs in Southern California.

In the late seventies Allan lived in Malibu, CA was staff songwriter for ABC Music. Seeking fresh inspiration he moved to Kauai, Hawaii in 1983 and never looked back. He released his second album ‘The Island’ on his Black Bamboo Recordings label in 1989. The CD was produced and mixed by Stephen Barncard (Grateful Dead-Crosby and Nash) and featured Russell Ferrante of The Yellowjackets, Michael Ruff on piano and keyboards and his life-long sidekick in music, Bryan Kessler on Guitar.

‘Coconut Culture’ Allan’s 3rd album released in 1997 was produced, recorded and mixed by another industry heavy the much respected Mike Shipley. The record featured a duet with Graham Nash of Crosby Stills and Nash on the song ‘The Navigator’. On this record Allan begins utilizing several alternate guitar tunings that were gifts from David Crosby.

From 1998 to 2004 Allan moonlighted as a DJ at KKCR Kauai Community Radio.

Allan Thomas was assistant engineer on Donald Fagen’s (Steely Dan) third solo CD ‘Morph The Cat’ He also had the great fortune to play rhythm guitar and sing backing vocals for both Fagen and Todd Rundgren in a benefit concert in March of 2005.

Allan’s fourth album ‘Making Up For Lost Time’, was released in 2007. Once again joined by Graham Nash on backing vocals, it featured James Taylor’s bassist Jimmy Johnson, and Tris Imboden of Chicago on drums. The self-produced record also features Kauai musicians extraordinaire Ken Emerson on slide guitar and lap-steel, and Michael Ruff on keyboards and backing vocals.

In 2009 Stephen Barncard released Allan’s Brooklyn Boy In Paradise – The Unreleased Collection – 14 songs from 1980 – 1994.

2011 saw the release of Allan’s fifth studio album ‘Deep Water’. Produced and recorded by AT and Mixed by 2012 Grammy award winner Mike Shipley. The CD features David Crosby, Graham Nash, and members of the Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Neil Young, CSN, Van Morrison and Yellowjackets bands.

In 2012 ‘Deep Water’ was nominated for Rock Album of the Year in the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts 2012 Na Hoku Hanohano Music Awards.

In August of 2018 Black Bamboo Recordings released Mr Thomas’ 6th studio album ‘Two Sides To Every Story’. Culminating 50 years in the art of making records and written and recorded over the previous six years, this collection of songs aims to be his most far-reaching and diversified album yet.

Blending elements of rock, blues, jazz, singer/songwriter and soulful vocals the album contains 8 songs with voice and 7 instrumentals. Ranging from a solo acoustic guitar slack-key instrumental to full-blown ensemble tracks featuring Keith Carlock of Steely Dan (drums) Jimmy Johnson (bass) of the Steve Gadd and James Taylor bands. Plus Grammy award winning jazz men Russell Ferrante (Piano) and Will Kennedy (drums) of the Yellowjackets.

‘Two Sides To Every Story’ was produced and recorded By Allan Thomas and mixed in Montreal by multi-platinum engineer Paul Northfield. At present the album is gaining radio momentum both in the US and Europe, and Allan’s songs are being added daily to Spotify playlists in a variety of genres. 'Two Sides To Every Story’ won best engineered album in the 2019 Nā Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaiian Grammy’s).