TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Featured Image. Arthur Thompson has been named Breakout Artist of 2023 by “BEATS” magazine. Photo Provided
Former band member with Wayman Tisdale
“BEATS” magazine has recognized former Tulsan Arthur Thompson as Breakout Artist of 2023 for jazz. A multi-talented musician, Thompson is a drummer, percussionist, singer, songwriter, and music producer.
“This is a tremendous honor to be named the Breakout Artist of 2023. It’s a reminder to never give up on your dream and stay consistent and true to yourself,” said Thompson.
Earlier in his career in Tulsa, he performed as a drummer for Dominic Factor Band and with renowned NBA star and jazz talent Wayman Tisdale. Since then, he has performed with countless entertainers, including Toby Keith, Dave Koz, and Marcus Miller. A song, “Crying for Me,” recorded and performed by Keith, Koz, and Miller with Thompson as a tribute to the late Tisdale, was nominated for a Grammy in 2011.
Thompson grew up with Tisdale. Beginning in the eighth grade, Thompson and Tisdale played at their father’s respective churches together. Throughout high school, Thompson played with the former Booker T. Washington High School basketball standout. As shared in “BEATS” magazine, Thompson was invited to join the former University of Oklahoma Sooner basketball phenom’s band when Tisdale was playing for the Phoenix Suns.
Now a resident of Los Angeles, his recent single releases have been “Smile” and “We Can Beat Cancer.” “Smile” is his first single that was inspired by a friend. The friend, saxophonist Mindi Abair, is featured on it. The song is listed as number 83 on the Top 100 songs of 2023 in “BEATS.”
“We Can Beat Cancer,” featuring Dav Koz and Erin Stevenson, is a tribute to his sister, his daughter’s mother, and others close to him that are breast cancer survivors.
The author, teacher, and entrepreneur’s goals in 2024 are to produce more music and perform live performances with his band Authurized. (See related article in “Talk of Greenwood” in the Dec. 15 edition.)
“(The Breakout Artist of 2023) honor gives me more fuel to take my music even higher and deeper! I really appreciate all of my family, friends, and fans for voting,” said Thompson.
For more information, see https://arthurthompsondrums.com/