International Archives For The Jazz Organ (IAJO) - The Jazz Organ Scene USA

Chester D. Thompson

Chester started playing the piano at his home in Oklahoma City at age five, picking out the notes from popular songs he heard on the radio. His parents quickly recognized his innate talent and arranged for formal piano lessons. And, it wasn't long before Thompson started playing both piano and organ for the choir at his church. By the age of 13, Thompson had discovered jazz, which became a major, life-long influence, and by the age of 16, he had switched almost exclusively to the Hammond organ, and was playing in high school rock bands.

It was while still in high school that Thompson realized he could make a living as a professional musician. He'd been performing in bands at gigs throughout the state of Oklahoma for a couple of years, when he caught the ear of Rudy Johnson. As he was losing his keyboardist, Johnson asked Thompson to join the Rudy Johnson Trio and, at age 19, Thompson packed his bags and spent the next three years touring the country with that group.

One of Thompson's first performances with the Rudy Johnson Trio was in San Francisco. He liked the city enough to make it his home, and he moved to the Bay Area permanently when the band decided to split up in 1969. At first, he took a day job at a bank while he broke into the San Francisco music scene by playing clubs at night. He spent the next few years playing around the Bay Area, and landed a regular gig as the keyboardist with Jules Broussard, which eventually evolved into Thompson leading his own band. It was during this time that Thompson also released his first album under the Black Jazz label, a solo project titled, "Power House".

In 1973, Thompson was playing at a club and was heard by a member of Tower of Power. Although Thompson had 'retired' from the road, he was convinced to join the band as keyboardist. And, for the next ten years, Thompson not only filled out the band's distinctive R & B/funk sound with his dynamic keyboard style, he wrote many of the group's songs. In fact, he was responsible for most of Tower of Power's instrumental hits during a period that most critics and fans agree was the group's peak.

From 1983 to 2009 starting with his debut on "Beyond Appearances", Thompson injected Santana's music with a powerful, creative energy that has added new dimension to their sound. In addition, he has continued to make contributions in other areas. He not only co-wrote, with Carlos Santana, the songs on the instrumental album, "Blues for Salvador", he also provided an inspirational spark during the recording of it's Grammy Award-winning title track. In addition, Thompson also collaborated with Santana on nine songs that were included on "Spirits Dancing In the Flesh". Since leaving Santana in 2009, Chester has returned to his soul-jazz roots, performing with his own quartet.

He has had opportunities to play with some of the other great musicians and groups, including Wayne Shorter, Earth Wind & Fire, The Temptations and many others. Hard working, dedicated, and extremely versatile, he not only played the organ, but commanded a full rack of emulators, synthesizers and keyboard controllers for recordings and in performance.

from the Santana official web site www.santana.com

Powerhouse Black Jazz Records BJ/6 released 1973	Chester Thompson, organ Rudolph Johnson, sax Al Hall, trombone Raymond Pounds, drums
Tower Of Power Warner Bros BS 2681 released 1973 recorded 1973 in Sausalito, CA/USA	Lenny Williams, vocals Chester Thompson, organ, vocals Bruce Conte, guitar, vocals Francis Rocco Prestia, bass Brent Byars, congas, drums, bongos David Garibaldi, drums Lenny Pickett, tenor sax, flute, clarinet, vocals Emilio Castillo, tenor sax, vocals Stephen Kupka, baritone sax, oboe, vocals Mic Gillette, trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, baritone horn, vocals Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals
Tower Of Power Live In Sausalito 1973 bootleg recorded June 1973 in Sausalito, CA/USA	Lenny Williams, vocals Emilio Castillo, sax Stephen 'Doc' Kupka, baritone sax Mic Gillette, trombone Greg Adams, trumpet Lenny Pickett, tenor sax Chester "CT" Thompson, organ Bruce Conte, guitar Francis 'Rocco' Prestia, bass David Garibaldi, drums
Back To Oakland Warner Bros BS 2749 released 1974 recorded 1974 in Seattle, WA and Sausalito, CA/USA	Greg Adams, conductor, trumpet, flugelhorn Harry Betts, conductor Lenny Pickett, soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, flute, alto flute, piccolo Bud Shank, alto sax, flute, alto flute, piccolo Emilio Castillo, tenor sax Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax, English horn Mic Gillette, trombone, bass trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn Ray Guilette, trombone Kell Houston, trombone Frank Rosolino, trombone Tommy Shepard, trombone Vincent DeRosa, French horn David Duke, French horn Richard Perissi, French horn Bruce Conte, guitar Chester Thompson, organ, piano, clavinet, synthesizer Francis "Rocco" Prestia, bass David Garibaldi, drums Brent Byars, congas Marilyn Scott, vocals Lenny Williams, vocals
Urban Renewal Warner Bros BS 2834 released 1975 recorded 1975 in Sausalito, CA/USA	Lenny Pickett, alto sax, soprano sax, tenor sax, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet Stephen Kupka, baritone sax Francis Rocco Prestia, bass David Bartlett, Drums, vocals Bruce Conte, Guitar, vocals Lenny Williams, vocals Chester Thompson, organ, piano, clavinet, synthesizer, vocals Emillo Castillo, tenor saxophone, vocals Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn Mic Gillette, trumpet, trombone, vocals
In The Slot Warner Bros BS 2880 released 1975 recorded 1975 in Sausalito, CA/USA	Hubert Tubbs, vocals Bruce Conte, guitar, vocals Chester Thompson, organ, piano, clavinet, keyboards, vocals Francis "Rocco" Prestia, bass David Garibaldi, drums Lenny Pickett, tenor sax, alto sax, soprano sax, piccolo, flute, clarinet, contra-bass clarinet, lyricon Emilio Castillo, tenor sax, vocals Steve Kupka, baritone sax Mic Gillette, trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, bass trombone, vocals Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn
Live And In Living Color Warner Bros BS 2924 released 1976 recorded 1976 live at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium and Cerritos College/USA	Lenny Pickett, flute, alto sax, tenor sax Francis "Rocco" Prestia, Bass Hubert Tubbs, vocals Stephen Kupka, baritone sax, vocals Greg Adams, trumpet, vocals, flugelhorn, horn Chester Thompson, organ, keyboards, vocals, clavinet Emilio Castillo, tenor sax, vocals Bruce Conte, guitar, vocals David Garibaldi, drums Mic Gillette, trombone, horn, vocals, piccolo, flugelhorn, trumpet Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax, vocals
Ain't Nothin' Stoppin' Us Now Columbia 34302 released 1976 recorded 1976 in Sausalito, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Burbank, CA/San Francisco, CA/USA	Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn, horn, vocals Ron E. Beck, vocals, drums, snare drum Emilio Castillo, tenor sax, vocals Bruce Conte, guitar, vocals Mic Gillette, percussion, trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, baritone horn, bass trombone, vocals Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax Bill Lamb, trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn Edward McGee, vocals Lenny Pickett, alto sax, tenor sax, lyricon Francis Prestia, bass Chester Thompson, organ, synthesizer, piano, keyboards, vocals
We Came To Play Columbia 34906 released 1978 recorded 1978 in Sausalito, CA, Los Angeles, CA/USA	Victor Conte, bass Ronnie Beck, drums Bruce Conte, guitar Michael Jeffries, vocals Chester Thompson, organ, clavinet, piano Steven Kupka, baritone sax Emilio Castillo, tenor sax Lenny Pickett, alto sax, tenor sax, synthesizer, clarinet, flute Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn Mic Gillette, trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn Steve Cropper, guitar
Back On The Streets Columbia 34302 released 1979 recorded 1979 in Sausalito, CA, Los Angeles, CA/USA	Emilio Castillo - tenor sax Lenny Pickettm, synthesizer, alto sax, soprano sax, tenor sax Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn Mic Gillette, trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo, bass trombone, piccolo trumpet Michael Jeffries, vocals Chester Thompson, organ, synthesizer, piano David Garibaldi, synthesizer, drums, syndrum Vito San Filippo, bass Danny Hoefer, guitar Eddie "Bongo" Brown, percussion Greg Crockett, guitar Paulinho Da Costa, percussion Cheryl Jeffries, vocals Bill Lamb, brass Gayle Levant, harp
Direct Plus! Sheffield Lab 10074-2-F previously released in 1981 as direct cut LP, Sheffield Lab 17 recorded June 1981 in Culver City, CA/USA	Vito San Filippo, bass Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn Mic Gillette, trombone, trumpet Rick Waychesko, trumpet Mark Sanders, drums Willie Fulton, guitar Chester Thompson, piano, organ Victor Feldman, percussion Emilio Castillo, tenor sax Lenny Pickett, tenor sax Stephen Kupka, baritone sax Michael Jeffries, vocals Edie Lehmann, vocals James Gilstrap, vocals Oren Waters, vocals
Dinosaur Tracks Rhino Hand Made RHM2 7703 recorded 1999 in USA	Emilio Castillo, tenor sax Stephen Doc Kupka, baritone sax Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn Willie James Fulton, guitar Mic Gillette, trombone, trumpet Marc Russo, alto sax, tenor sax Michael Jeffries, vocals Chester Thompson, organ Vito San Filippo, bass Mark Sanders, drums Lenny Pickett, tenor sax Victor Patterson, drums
Everybody On The Bus Lightyear Entertainment 54307-2	Francis Rocco Prestia, bass Carmen Grillo, vocals, guitar Brandon Fields, sax Tom Saviano, sax Bill Churchville, trumpet Don Harris, flugelhorn Eric Jorgensen, trombone Nick Milo, organ, keyboards Chester Thompson, organ, keyboards Bruce Conte, guitar Jeff Tamelier, guitar David Garibaldi, drums Herman Matthews, drums Arno Lucas, percussion Frank Biner, vocals Brent Carter, vocals Tamara Champlin, vocals Jeff Ramsey, vocals
The Oakland Zone Or Music Or 803022 recorded 2003 in USA	Emilio Castillo, tenor sax Stephen Doc Kupka, baritone sax Greg Adams, trumpet, flugelhorn Willie James Fulton, guitar Mic Gillette, trombone, trumpet Marc Russo, alto sax, tenor sax Michael Jeffries, vocals Chester Thompson, organ Vito San Filippo, bass Mark Sanders, drums Lenny Pickett, tenor sax Victor Patterson, drums
Possibilities Hear Music 70013-2 recorded at various locations of the USA; in London/Great Britain; in Toronto/Canada	Herbie Hancock, organ, piano Trey Anastasio, guitar, vocals James Harrah, guitar Jonny Lang, guitar, vocals Lionel Loueke, guitar John Mayer, guitar, vocals Raul Midón, guitar, vocals Tony Remy, guitar Carlos Santana, guitar Paul Simon, guitar, vocals Michael Bearden, keyboards Greg Phillinganes, keyboards Chester Thompson, organ Stevie Wonder, harmonica Vyvienne Long, cello Gina Gershon, Jew's harp Nathan East, bass Shane Fitzsimons, bass Steve Lewinson, bass Reggie McBride, bass Pino Palladino, bass John Patitucci, bass Benny Rietveld, bass Willie Weeks, bass Teddy Campbell, drums Dennis Chambers, drums Steve Jordan, drums Peter Lewinson, drums John Phillinganes, drums Tomo, drums Cyro Baptista, percussion Jamey Haddad, percussion Bashiri Johnson, percussion Karl Perazzo, percussion Raul Rekow, percussion Christina Aguilera, vocals Lisa Hannigan, vocals Angélique Kidjo, vocals Annie Lennox, vocals Damien Rice, vocals Sting, vocals Joss Stone, vocals
40th Anniversary Top Records TOP300207 recorded live October 2008 at The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA/USA	Mark Russo, alto sax Richard Elliot, tenor sax Brandon Fields, tenor sax Skip Mesquite, tenor sax Tom Politzer, tenor sax Norbert Stachel, tenor sax Emilio Castillo, tenor sax, vocals Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax Mike Bogart, trombone, trumpet Mic Gillette, trombone, trumpet Adolfo Acosta, trumpet, flugelhorn Bill Churchville, trumpet, flugelhorn Greg Adams, trumpet Carmen Grillo, guitar Mark Harper, guitar Jeff Tamelier, guitar Dave Matthews, piano Nick Milo, Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizer Roger Smith, Hammond B-3 organ, piano, clavinet Bobby Sparks, Hammond B-3 organ Chester Thompson, Hammond B-3 organ, piano Francis "Rocco" Prestia, bass David Garibaldi, drums Ron E. Beck, drums Mick Mestek, drums Russ McKinnon, drums Herman Matthews, drums Larry Braggs, vocals Ellis Hall, vocals Sam Moore, vocals
Hipper Than Hip Real Gone Music RGM0208 recorded May 1974 in Hempstead, NY/USA	Greg Adams, trumpet Brent Byars, congas Emilio Castillo, tenor sax Bruce Conte, guitar David Garibaldi, drums Mic Gillette, trumpet Stephen (Doc) Kupka, baritone sax Lenny Pickett, tenor sax Francis Rocco Prestia, bass Chester Thompson, organ, keyboards Lenny Williams, vocals
50 Years of Funk & Soul: Live At The Fox Theater Artistry Music ART 7078 recorded live June 2018 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA/USA	Emilio Castillo, leader, tenor sax, vocals Lenny Pickett, tenor sax Tom Politzer, tenor sax Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax Ray Greene, trombone Adolfo Acosta, trumpet, flugelhorn Sal Cracchiolo, trumpet, flugelhorn Bruce Conte, guitar Dave Eskridge, keyboards Roger Smith, keyboards Chester Thompson, Hammond B-3 organ, clavinet Greg Adams, strings Francis "Rocco" Prestia, bass Marc van Wageningen, bass David Garibaldi, drums Marcus Scott, vocals

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