The Chester Thompson Trio was formed in June of 2011 when pianist Joe
Davidian, bassist Michael Rinne and legendary drummer Chester Thompson
were hired to accompany some of the world’s leading jazz trombonists
at the International Trombone Festival, held that year in Nashville,
Tennessee. After a week of playing workshops and concerts several
hours a day, the trio found that they really enjoyed playing together.
After that, they played every Monday at a club called the Commodore
Lounge for more than a year.
Thompson has recorded and performed the world over with some of the
biggest names in jazz and rock, including Weather Report, Joe Sample,
Freddie Hubbard, Ahmad Jamal, Phil Collins, Genesis, and Frank Zappa.
He teaches drumset at Belmont University and regularly tours
internationally, giving performances and drum clinics.
Joe Davidian also teaches at Belmont and at the Nashville Jazz
Workshop, maintains an extensive private studio, and plays regular
jazz gigs around town. He also has recorded three trio albums under
his own name, the third of which will be released in April, 2013.
Michael Rinne is quickly becoming one of Nashville’s first-call
bassists for sessions, and is a member of the premiere studio
orchestra, the Nashville String Machine. Rinne also tours domestically
with various Nashville-based artists.
Thompson’s enthusiasm for the relatively young trio is apparent:
“It was difficult to schedule time at first because [Davidian and
Rinne] are always in demand.
Nashville has a nice jazz scene and they are two of the busiest
musicians in the city.
I am fortunate to play with them.……Joe Davidian and Mike Rinne are
very young and have a lot of energy but they play with wisdom of
musicians twice their age. The musical communication
we have is very special, so things happen when we play that we do not
have to talk about.
It is nice that after so many years of touring and recording; I am
very excited about
this band!”
