Saturday,
October 6 from 7
to 12
p.m.
with the legendary
A native of Orangeburg, S.C., Thales Thomas “Skipp” Pearson, has been playing jazz since the age of 14. Over the years, his amazing professional career has allowed him to share the stage with renowned musicians Sam Cooke, Wycliffe Gordon, Patti LaBelle, Chris Potter, Otis Redding, George Smith, Drink Smalls, Sonny Thronton, Fred Wesley, David Haynes, Ron Westray, and Wynton Marsalis,
and many others.Pearson numerous professional music credits include performances throughout Europe and across the United States. In 1998, Pearson was inducted into the South Carolina State University Jazz Band Hall of Fame.
In 2003 Pearson received the state of South Carolina’s highest artistic honor; the distinguished Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for individuals artistic excellence.
In 2002 the South Carolina State House of Representative presented Pearson with a commendation in honor of his extraordinary contributions to the world of jazz music and to congratulate him on an outstanding career. That same year, he performed at Jazz! Carolina for the first time.
Throughout his career Pearson has been the subject of several South Carolina Public TV programs, local, regional and statewide news articles, and interviewed by syndicated radio and television talk shows hosts.
A career educator, Pearson has taught scores of public school children the importance, and benefits of having music in their lives. For 30 years, Pearson served as the general music teacher, as well as, band director in Bamberg and Clarendon School Districts, building the first band programs available to children in those areas.
Upon completion of his formal education, Pearson spent four years in the United States Air Force. An enlisted man with a distinguished military career, Pearson performed professionally while serving his country. After many years of community service activities, Pearson officially retired from the South Carolina National Guard Band in November of 1997.
For additional event information, contact James Jolly at 843.383.8018.
For sponsorhip and vendor information contact Judi Elvington (HDDA) at 843.332.1600Jazz! Carolina 2007 is the 10th Annual Celebration of a
Musical Tradition Born in the South. In 2001, Jazz! Carolina was Named a Most Outstanding Festival for a Community Between 5,000 & 15,000 by the SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Previous headline musicians include Phil Woods with Bill Charlap, Slide Hampton, Nnenna Freelon, Vanessa Rubin, Imani and New York Voices.
