Jazz Night: Thomas Wendt Quintet

A Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts graduate, Thomas Wendt has been a professional musician since 14. Based in Pittsburgh, Thomas is an active member of the current jazz scene playing with groups led by Joe Negri, Dwayne Dolphin, Mark Strickland, Kenia, and the Latin Jazz group Salsamba in addition to leading his own groups, including the sextet, Firm Roots. He is also a member of the newly reformed Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. Thomas has played with many visiting international jazz greats, including Clark Terry, Donald Byrd, David “Fathead” Newman, Benny Golson, Monty Alexander, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Christian McBride, Curtis Lundy, and Geri Allen.

During the last five years, Thomas has toured with NEA Jazz Master Hubert Laws and played with pianist Alan Broadbent for the Nyack, NY library jazz series. He has recorded with Gene Ludwig, Sandy Staley, Maureen Budway, Steve Davis and Jay Ashby, Joe Negri, David Budway, Ron Affif, Freddy Cole and Sean Jones (w/ the Pgh Jazz Orch.), Gloria Reuben, and Brazilian vocalist Kenia. Thomas has been on the faculty of The Afro-American Music Institute since 1998 and at Duquesne University since 2015, where he teaches drums, chamber Jazz Ensemble, and jazz history.