Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:07 pm Posts: 7088 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
I found out on Friday that my long-time friend and occasional musical partner Dawn Thompson had passed away on Thursday night. Dawn was a true original, in her art and in her life. She and her husband, my dear friend John D'earth were two of the earliest enthusiasts of my forays into the Stick, and we performed together in many different contexts, first as The Zone, a quartet with painter Tim O'Kane on the drums, and then for a brief time their band Cosmology (which at the time also included Tim Reynolds and Carter Beauford).
I had the pleasure of producing three recordings of John and Dawn's music — the amazing "Thursday Night, Live at Miller's", and two studio CDs, "Mercury" and "When the Serpent Flies".
Dawn was an amazing singer, with an incredible control and range, and she was also a killer percussionist (my CD "Sol" features her on several tracks in this role).
But my favorite collaboration with her was our "groove poetry" trio with Leroi Moore, Code Magenta, where she would extemporaneously craft a melody for one of a collection of poems she brought while I set the electronic orchestra in motion and Leroi took flight on tenor or soprano sax...
I have many ways to remember her, but the one that will always stand out to me the most is a regular scene, a Thursday night at Miller's, the band is wowing the crowd with one of John's compositions, and Dawn converses with her many friends who hang out in this musical mecca, sipping a Mount Gay on the rocks, as she waits to take the stage, adding the icing on a wondrous musical cake...
Here is a track from the Code Magenta CD, an untitled poem written by Dawn's aunt, Virginia Downs... Thanks for leaving us so much great music, Dawn...
Sun Sep 03, 2017 6:31 pm
Brett Bottomley
Multiple Donor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:01 am Posts: 1767 Location: North Haven, Connecticut USA
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
I'm really sorry Greg.
Brett
Sun Sep 03, 2017 7:22 pm
Jzzb8ovn
Master Contributor
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:11 am Posts: 1367 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
I'm sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to Dawns family
how sad, I really enjoyed her on "The Dance"...just a wonderful voice.
Mon Sep 04, 2017 9:49 am
Claire
Resident Contributor
Joined: Sun May 20, 2012 3:56 pm Posts: 391 Location: Boston, MA
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
Sorry for your loss, Greg.
"The Dance" is also my favorite from the Code Magenta CD.
Mon Sep 04, 2017 11:24 am
gpoorman
Elite Contributor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:45 pm Posts: 1733 Location: Leelanau County, MI
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
Really sorry to hear this!
It's no secret that while I liked the reboot of the tune "Still Water" with the Greg Howard band, the original recording of that tune was always my favorite and the part that always put it over the top for me was the vocal.
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:09 am Posts: 395 Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
Sorry for your loss Greg, the fact that you have so many wonderful musical memories can and will be a big help in moving forward. God Bless!
Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:35 am
AnDroiD
Elite Contributor
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 12:42 pm Posts: 2536 Location: Jersey
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
Sorry to hear a dear friend has passed, Greg. Her approach was so cool, I love poetry and music, and coming up with original melody is even more emotional and evocative. The Art Lives Forever.
_________________ Peace, Marty "The present day composer refuses to die" -Edgard Varese
Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:10 am
greg
Multiple Donor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:07 pm Posts: 7088 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Re: Goodbye to DAWN THOMPSON
Thanks to all for your kind wishes...
Here's a link to the version of "Still Water" Glenn mentioned
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