Internationally known jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Bob Thompson (born December 12, 1942 in Jamaica, Queens, New York) is the house pianist and a featured performer on National Public Radio’s syndicated Mountain Stage program, which is broadcast live from the West Virginia Culture Center Theater in Charleston.

 

Thompson grew up in New York City, but came to West Virginia in the 1960s to study music at West Virginia State College (now University), and thereafter decided to stay.

 

Since the 1970s, Thompson and his bands have recorded and released multiple CDs, and toured nationally and internationally, performing gigs in Europe, Africa and South America. Throughout the 1980s Thompson released a series of widely acclaimed solo albums, first through his own label, Rainbow Records, and later on Capitol’s Intima jazz label. His most recent release is on Blue Canoe Records.

 

Thompson is co-producer and host of the annual “Joy to The World” holiday jazz show that airs on public radio stations across the nation, and is heard internationally on Voice of America. 

 

When not performing on Mountain Stage, touring, or educating, Thompson continues to perform in Charleston and the tri-state area.