Nicholas Thomas – Coffee Break – 10/04/25 Sunset, Paris

With experience gained with Mourad Benhammou, César Poirier, Jeanne Michard, Alain Jean-Marie, Laurent Marode and Luigi Grasso, vibraphonist Nicholas Thomas made a name for himself on the jazz scene with the release of his first album, “Plays The Music of Hank Jones” (Fresh Sound, 2021).

Four years later, still with Fresh Sound and on a more personal note, here is the “Coffee Break” collection devoted essentially to his own compositions, with Gershwin’s Too Marvelous For Words adding a welcome note of variety to the disc’s repertoire. Written with a deft pen, these pieces testify to the richness of his personal universe, and are a constant source of inspiration for the band’s musicians.

Witness the dancing swing of guitarist Peter Bernstein‘s inventive and perfectly mastered solos (Senegal Street Bounce), Hiroshi Murayama’s piano part illuminating Soon and Viktorija Gečytė’s disillusioned vocal delivery on Up You Go. Particularly at ease in this context, Nicholas Thomas proves himself an inspired improviser capable of bringing out the hidden splendors of a melody.

Like his bandmates, he benefits from the unfailing support of a rhythm section featuring Darryl Hall and Michel Rosciglione, attentive guardians of tempo, and a master drummer of the calibre of Mourad Benhammou, capable of catalysing his partners with a proven science of accompaniment.

An album that renews the jazz tradition with a contemporary twist.