Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas parlayed a unique voice and style into blues stardom at the beginning of the ‘90s. His debut album "Blue...Not Blues" appealed to audiences across the board bringing a fresh alternative to traditional blues. Thirty years and 21 recordings later, he is recognized as one of the most influential and prolific blues artists of his generation, whose impact has touched audiences across the globe. Now, in what he is calling his “third act,” he is singing songs that are the roots of the blues and the heart of American music. His latest “Church Songs” (scheduled for release in the fall of '23) shows that same unique voice and style on songs Thomas describes as “the soundtrack to American history.” 

His new live show, described as “Part Soul Stirrers, part Ike & Tina Turner Revue, is a high spirit, soul stirring, foot stomping, get up and dance in the aisle tent revival not to be missed,” presents The Gospel Ambassadors, a tight 5pc unit of guitar, bass, drums, piano, and congas, and features the dynamic Sister Leola vocal trio, whose soprano, mezzo soprano, and contralto surround Earl Thomas' powerful delivery with equal scope and scale. Fans are already picking their favorites songs. At a recent performance, opening the San Diego Music Awards, Union Tribune music critic George Varga said,  "Earl Thomas & The Gospel Ambassadors got the show off to a memorably rousing start that suggested their upcoming album should be a soul-stirring outing."  

After an accidental entry into the music industry, Earl Thomas was first recognized as a songwriter, reaching the mainstream with I Sing The Blues a hit for Etta James' 1994 Grammy Award winning Island Records release "The Right Time." Solomon Burke soon followed with four Earl T songs on his 1991 "Homeland" album. Then, for his "Black Music For White People," Screamin Jay Hawkins recorded I Am The Cool. Sir Tom Jones covered Git Me Some. Earl's songs have been featured in top television shows ER and Grace & Frankie, in blockbuster movies In The Mix (starring Usher) and Rip Torn's 40 Shades Of Blue. His debut at Switzerland’s 1992 Montreux Jazz Festival, introduced Earl Thomas (who go on to be known as the Blues Ambassador) to a world wide audience, previewing an impressive 30 year music career.

"Singing the gospel is either a fitting capstone or the beginning of the next chapter of my life, says Earl. "We'll just have to wait and see."