LISTEN TO SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

FIRST SAMPLE OF NEW PROJECT SET TO RELEASE VIA MNRK MUSIC GROUP THIS FALL

PERFORMING AT UNION STATION IN TORONTO SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

Toronto, ON – August 12, 2022 – Today, acclaimed Toronto composer and pianist, Thompson Egbo-Egbo unveils his first sample of new music. Known for his prolific work and performances both at home and abroad, audiences may be familiar with the track - it is Thompson's signature cover of Nirvana's iconic Smells Like Teen Spirit. Whether performed in local spots - like Thompson's frequent haunt of The Rex in Toronto - to open air venues and concert halls, the jazz-infused, layered and virtuosic rendition is fresh, fun and resonant - much like the 90s grunge classic. Listen to the song  here.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit is that tune no matter where it’s played or who it’s played for, it connects with people of all generations and cultures," Thompson says. It was recorded by Jeremy Darby and Julian Decorte at Canterbury Music Company, with Thompson’s trio, Randall Hall on bass, and Jeff Halischuk on drums, and mastered by João Carvalho. 

Last night (Thursday, August 11), The Royal Canadian Mint honoured Oscar Peterson with a one dollar coin (loonie) with his likeness on it. The Céline Peterson and the Peterson family as well as the Royal Canadian Mint invited Thomson Egbo-Egbo to perform Peterson’s beloved composition, Hymn To Freedom, at the unveiling of the coin at Roy Thomson Hall. This marks a full-circle moment - in 2021, Thompson portrayed a young Oscar Peterson in an episode of Historica Canada’s Heritage Minute, honouring the artist’s life and career.

Tomorrow - Saturday, August 13 - Toronto audiences can find Thompson and the trio performing at Union Station at 12:30 p.m. as part of their free outdoor Union Summer series. Find more details here and additional tour dates below.
 
About Thompson Egbo-Egbo
Thompson Egbo-Egbo is always in key. Deeply rooted in his upbringing – moving to Canada from Nigeria at age four, commencing his dedication to playing the piano at the age of six – his innate aptitude and affection for the instrument is as strong as ever to this day. The key that keeps everything alignedis one where Thompson is in tune with his environment, collaborators, community and a signature approach to the art.

On his forthcoming project, set for release via MNRK Music Group this fall, Thompson will draw from themes of transition, rebirth, realignment, joy, and optimism for the future. Partly inspired by the shifts and impact the last two years of the pandemic has placed on both a personal and professional level, audiences will experience the growth and depth of Thompson’s writing, as an offering of sonic catharsis and hope.

The album will follow Thompson’s 2019 release, The Offering and 2018 album, A New Standard. While A New Standard sought to change the conversation, The Offering created a new dialogue about what audiences expect from a jazz trio. The recording process itself was an attempt to capture the essence of the live experience - the element that has been attracting an ever-growing audience to the trio’s concerts. A New Standard was Thompson’s debut on MNRK Music Group and sought to redefine the concept of the jazz standard, and included original takes on Radiohead, Bob Dylan and Laura Mvula tunes. It was recorded in the original trio format, with Randall Hall on bass, and Jeff Halischuk on drums, marking a departure from the solo playing for which Thompson had become known.

Before Thompson began playing his way through landmark venues across the city, he honed his skill in the heart of his community. At Dixon Hall, a community centre down the street from where he grew up in Toronto's Regent Park, he was able to take piano lessons at two dollars a session. Growing up in subsidized government development area of Toronto, Egbo-Egbo was awed by the fact a group of people thought enough of the residences to build a musical school so that the children of the neighbourhood could enjoy the access of affordable music lessons. 

As this experience struck a chord in his youth, giving back is a trademark note of Thompson’s ethos. Thompson served as a member of the board at Dixon Hall for many years and is currently on the board at Jazz FM 91. His own organization, The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts Foundation, and Evolving Through the Arts program, targets elementary school students recognizing that a positive change and a sense of self-worth should be instilled in children early and they be afforded opportunities that all children should receive. The foundation strives to fill a void in the education of music and arts not found in many communities, and partners with talented Canadian musicians and artists to provide a well-rounded and focused curriculum. 

With degrees in Music from Humber College, and music production at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, to releasing numerous works and collaborating with some of the world’s most renowned artists, Thompson’s involvement in music has seen many opportunities come his way. Last year, Thompson was set to cross the pond for a recording opportunity at Abbey Road Studios in London, UK, to write and record Oddly Familiar – an album released and archived with Audio Network’s sync library. Thompson didn't let postponed travel plans deter him, and proceeded at home in Toronto to share the music with international audiences. 

Looking ahead, listeners can expect to hear music from What Remains in a new docuseries project by Luminato Festival called Golden Hour, in the episode, Mighty Brave. The trio will perform at a selection of Ontario festival dates including Toronto International Film Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, and Orillia Jazz Festival. Next year, Thompson will be performing Oscar Peterson's music for a special concert with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra on February 11, 2023. See info below and stay tuned for more details to be announced. 

Thompson Egbo-Egbo shares his experience, ideas and vision with vibrant energy. The key to his success is not solely unlocked by memorable, harmonically complex compositions that have at their core a deep, abiding groove, but the connections they create and the doors they open within the listener. 
 
TOUR DATES
August 13 - Union Station - Toronto, ON - Info
September 9 - Toronto International Film Festival
October 2 - Kensington Market Jazz Festival - Toronto, ON 
October 14 - Orillia Jazz Festival - Orillia, ON 
February 11, 2023 - A Celebration Of Oscar Peterson - Windsor, ON - Tickets

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo | DOWNLOAD - Smells Like Teen Spirit Artwork

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