james michael thompson, stompbox, Stomp Box, ellis, percussion

Back to Australian Players

JAMES MICHAEL THOMPSON

The Ellis 8 String Baritone Tricone Resonator

James Michael Thompson is 25 years old, a blues musician modelling his style after slide greats such as Blind Willie Johnson and Robert Johnson. Primarily a solo performer using guitar, blues harp, stomp-box and shakers as his percussive tools, Tompo combines blues with his previous experience in classical guitar and folk music.

Along with the aforementioned blues greats, James cites musicians such as Jeff Lang, John Lee Hooker, Lloyd Spiegel, Paul Simon and Skip James as important influences on his guitar playing, songwriting and general approach to a career in music.

James has steadily advanced to playing regular gigs since early 2004, eventually leading to a breakthrough opportunity to play alongside Melbourne Blues Musician Lloyd Spiegel at ‘Blue to the Bone’ one of Perths premier Blues venues in late 2004. This led to a friendship between the two. “Lloyd has given me so much in so little time, most importantly his support and approval of my songs, something very humbling to me considering his abilities and credibility”, James says.

Shows have since included supports for ‘The Bondi Cigars’ at the Perth Blues Club. “Rick (Steele, President) has been so supportive of what I am trying to do; his encouragement has further motivated me to keep playing as well as possible”. James has also hosted the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society’s (MBAS) blues night at the Cornish Arms something particularly special to Tompo due to the strength of the Melbourne Blues scene. Performances also took place at the Frankston Guitar Festival in the prestigious finger-picking competition and demonstrations with Perth based luthier Andrew Ellis playing his seven string resonator guitar. James has also performed alongside the likes of Collard, Greens and Gravy, The Black Sorrows at the Mordialloc Music by the Bay as well as gigs supporting Queensland songsmith Loren.

With the new E.P “Light your Way” recorded, James has been played on Triple J’s ‘Roots n All’ program which has been a terriffic boost, increasing exposure and interest.

“All the way from WA, James, a solo acoustic artists, who Lloyd Spiegel calls a true bluesman, at a very young age Tompo has captured the blues and made it his own, you will be enthralled by his presentation and style of his music, his vocals are deep and soulful reminding me of the past struggles of men working on a chain-gang, or in the cotton fields in the deep south in the days of slavery. James Michael Thompson is a true bluesman!”
Sonia Meggs - President Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society

The Ellis Stompbox is called by many names such as Cajon, Hand Drum, Foot Drum, Percussion Drum, Australian Artists have embraced the Stomp Box and it is being used in the Studio and on Stage by Ash Grunwald, Nathan Gaunt, Desert Child, Dave Mann, Roy Martinez, Jack Ceriani, Second Gear, Khin Myint, Craig Sinclair, Toby, James Michael Thompson, Andrew Winton and many more.