By Jonathan Heath
Drumming is a language all its own—a syncopated soundscape of time and timbre. But jazz drumming doesn’t merely keep time, it bends it, plays with it, challenges it. It is the rhythmic heartbeat of improvisation, full of surprise and finesse; gentle and steady like a pulse, yet expressive and unpredictable when set free.
Nobody knows this better than Rich Thompson ’84E (MM), Associate Professor of Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music, who announced his retirement earlier this month. For almost 30 years, the hallways, practice rooms, and stages of Eastman have reverberated with the drumming of Thompson and his students. Soon they will feel unusually quiet in his absence.
Rich Thompson directs the Eastman Jazz Lab Band in Kilbourn Hall, 2022. Photo credit: J. Adam Fenster.
Stranger still—yet somehow perfectly timed—is the fitting coincidence that Thompson’s final concert as Director of the Eastman Jazz Lab Band will take place on May 1, the start of International Drum Month. To mark the occasion, Thompson has invited long-time friend and collaborator Bobby Floyd to accompany the 17-piece ensemble on piano.
Asked why students should choose Eastman, Thompson cited the school’s support system, renowned faculty, and worldwide reputation as factors that sets Eastman apart from other music schools. “I believed this when I was a student and, it hasn’t changed for me over the years,” he confirmed.
“Throughout his thirty-year career teaching generations of drummers, Professor Thompson never missed a beat,” says Joan and Martin Messinger Dean, Kate Sheeran. “We are indebted to his decades of exceptional service. His artistry and mentorship have elevated our program and inspired all who have had the privilege to learn from him.”
I spoke with Rich Thompson about his career and how he plans to go out on a high note.
Professor Thompson, when you reflect on joining the Eastman faculty in 1996, what do you remember about that decision?
“At that time, I had been touring with the Count Basie Orchestra—one of the most swinging big bands in the history of big bands in the 20th century! Then I ran into Marie Rolf, Eastman’s Dean of Graduate Students at the time, and Elizabeth Marvin, a music theory professor at Eastman, in the Albany airport as I was about to rejoin the Basie band on the road. They asked me if I’d be interested in teaching jazz drum set when I got back. I was very flattered and said sure!
“Having been the first jazz drummer to get my master’s in performance at Eastman in 1984, I couldn’t believe I was being asked to be the first jazz drum set professor 12 years later. Eastman was opening their jazz degree to undergraduates in 1996, and I was more than excited to join Ray Ricker, Fred Sturm, Jeff Campbell, and others in this prestigious department and school.”
What professional moments from the past 30 years stand out?
“There are far too many memorable moments to list—from faculty recitals and summer jazz camp concerts to performances with my colleagues at the International Association of Jazz Education and Jazz Education Network conventions in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and New Orleans.
“I’ve had the pleasure of recording several albums with faculty members Harold Danko, Clay Jenkins, Jeff Campbell, and others, including The Question Is, multiple Trio East releases, and Live at Eastman with tenor saxophonist Rich Perry. We also collaborated on recordings with guitarist Larry Koonse and guest artists like Dennis Irwin, Jeremy Pelt, Scott Robinson, and saxophonists David Glasser and Tom Christensen. I’ll always treasure the concerts with Marion McPartland and the Cross Weave project with Kim Richmond, Rich Perry, and the Eastman crew.
“Playing with the Byron Stripling Quartet around the world—from Marian’s Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland, to multiple sets aboard the Jazz Cruise—was unforgettable. I’ve also had the privilege of performing extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada with Jeff Tyzik ’73E, ’77E (MM), Dee Daniels, Bobby Floyd, Carmen Bradford, and many more.”
What’s your favorite part of working with students?
“Working with such talented young drummers and musicians at Eastman pushes me to be a better version of myself. In many situations, students are dependent on their teachers to spoon feed them everything they learn. At Eastman, the students are taking our direction and coming up with many different variations on techniques and musical concepts from week to week. This keeps me on my toes and inspires me as much as I might inspire them.”
How has jazz drumming evolved over the years?
“I think jazz drumming—and jazz itself—has always evolved alongside other genres. Classical music, pop, contemporary styles, and various subgenres have all played a role in shaping it, just as the Broadway tunes of Gershwin, Rodgers, Hart, and others influenced jazz in the 1930s through the ’60s. Music from Cuba, Africa, and Eastern Europe has also pushed jazz in new directions. Jazz has always been rooted in rhythm, and the indigenous rhythms of these regions have naturally found their way into the music we call jazz.”
So, what does retirement look like for you?
“I see myself doing pretty much what I’m doing now. I have bookings into 2026, which comprise performing, conducting, and such. I’ll still teach students in my private studio, work on my YouTube channel, record with friends and mentors, and try to finish a final book focused on what I’ve been teaching at Eastman for the past 29 years—a sort of masterclass in jazz drumming if you will.”
Your final concert is on May 1, what do you have in store?
“My last concert will feature music from many different artists, including Harry James, Thad Jones, Don Grolnick, Monty Alexander, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Burt Bacharach, Gerald Wilson (with organist Richard “Groove” Holmes), and a student composition. It will also feature a small group tune with Bobby Floyd, my fellow Eastman professors Charles Pillow, Bob Sneider, and Jeff Campbell, and myself.”
You’re reuniting with Bobby Floyd, what makes that partnership so special?
“He’s one of the humblest musicians I’ve ever worked with, and his playing is first rate. He’s an amazing pianist and organist. My first gig with him was with Byron Stripling ’83E (a classmate of mine at Eastman back in the day) in Switzerland, at Marian’s Jazz Room for a week in 2008. I’ve played with Bobby in trios, quartets, big bands, and symphony orchestras. I’ve played where Bobby and I were the entire rhythm section backing Byron Stripling and Doc Severinsen in concert, when our bass player got ill and couldn’t make the concert. Bobby is featured on my latest CD entitled Who Do You Have to Know from 2023. Need I say more?”
For a full biography of Rich Thompson, visit our website.
The Ray Conniff Jazz Series: Eastman Jazz Lab Band
Rich Thompson, director, with special guest Bobby Floyd
Thursday, May 1, 2025
7:30 p.m. | Kilbourn Hall