Drummer, composer, and author, Kenne Thomas is a well-travelled educated, and seasoned musician, continuing a long history of notable drummers from the city of Chicago. Kenne is the son of early 1950’s Chicago jazz alto saxophonist, James “Bouncy” Whitehead, who he notes as his musical inspiration. Kenne honed his skills in the grinding Chicago nightclub jazz organ trios, hard bop jazz groups, blues bands, and progressive fusion ensembles of the ‘70s era. He was fortunate to spend time through the years as a roadie for his friend and mentor, drummer, Elvin Jones.

The many genres in which Kenne is skilled, came from a wide range of experiences; touring with the hard driving horn band, AIRTIGHT, then with the Elvis Tribute Show (Memories of Elvis), the touring R&B show band, Paradyse, and later with the famous Japanese jazz organist, Toshihiko Kankawa, whom he played with for almost a decade in Japan. Returning stateside and following post graduate studies, Kenne played with big bands and as a percussionist with the St. Paul Civic Orchestra, while teaching high school, and authoring several percussion education books. Kenne Thomas brings years of experience to the stage. Over the years he has performed in many nations  with Sonny Seals, Victor Zubarev, Junior Wells, Jimmy Bowman, Pat Surface, Jerry Lakes “Memories of Elvis Show,” Paradyse, Hirose Naruse, Kankawa Toshiko, Othello Molineaux, Kestutis Stanciaskas, Isaiah Collier, Frank Catalano, Javier Santiago and other great international and national artists. Kenne lived in Japan for over a decade and performed on many TV broadcasts and recordings with Japanese, Korean, and Filipino artists.

Kenne’s USA domestic albums feature great lineups of national jazz masters. The album, WOODLAWN, by Kenne Thomas’ LIFEFORCE, is a tour de force of contemporary smooth Jazz. It features the radio hit, “Roy’s Thing,” a tribute song dedicated to trumpeter, Roy Hargrove. His follow-up offering, is straight ahead bop, cool, and swing jazz, “YESTERDAYS,” by Kenne Thomas’ K-TET is dedicated to his jazz and blues roots and his father, Jim “Bouncy” Whitehead, to whom compositions are written. This album features the song, “I’ll Be There With You,” written by Kenne Thomas. It is sung by vocalist, Ms. Lila Ammons, niece of the great Chicago jazz saxophonist, Gene Ammons, who also was a close friend of Kenne’s family. Today he performs on drums with touring artists. He composes songs and lyrics for musicians and singers in many different genres. Kenne happily carries the weight of musical history and continues a vibrant musical legacy.