Bert Thompson is an old friend — we worked
together in bands in the San Francisco Bay area.
Like several of the very top traditional jazz
musicians in the US, Bert is from the UK, born in
Dundee, Scotland. He came to the US and played
in the 101st Airborne Division band for two
years. He has degrees from San Francisco State
and the Ph. D. from the University of Oregon. He
retired as an English professor a few years ago.
Bert has played with many of the great bands in
the San Francisco area, including 10 years with
Professor Plum. For the past 15 years or so, he has
been the drummer with Gremoli, a 6-piece New
Orleans-style band, and Ted Shafer's Jelly Roll
Jazz Band, an 8-piece Watters/Oliver-style band.
Bert will contribute occasional pieces for our Rag.
Some will be CD reviews of some of the very
good small bands that have been playing in San
Francisco. Other columns will be a bit more
controversial. Stay tuned!!
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