Kris
Thomas has been mesmerizing audiences with his mastery
of contemporary drumming styles such as Rock, Funk, Reggae, Worldbeat
and Salsa for over twenty years. He spent nearly two decades as the drummer for legendary Hawaiian artist; Willie K and 15 years with The Celtic Tigers at Mulligan's on the Blue in Wailea Maui.
He also worked with Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac and his two Hawaii based bands; Mick Fleetwood's Island Rumors Band and Mick Fleetwood's Blues Band from 2009 - 2013.
Some of his many influences
include Neil Peart, Alan White, Carter Beauford, Phil
Collins, and the various drummers from Santana.
While at the University of Milwaukee, Kris studied electronic music composition, video
production / editing, and percussion including Master classes
with Danny Gottlieb of the Pat Metheny Group.
He also was highly involved with theatrical productions, performed for school functions,
and taught private lessons.
Kris composed intriguing musical soundscapes utilizing
keyboard, flute, voice, effects, as well as acoustic, electronic
and world percussion. His pieces have been in video soundtracks
and played on radio stations throughout the Pacific Northwest.
He also performed with The Haines/Kanter Project,
Soringhart, Rob Tobias, The Shelley James Band, Flying Colours
and played in jam sessions with percussionist, Mingo Lewis.
In 1998 Kris relocated to Maui, Hawaii where he performed with
the salsa band Rio Ritmo for
over three years and has been fortunate to jam with many talented
musicians such as Pat Simmons of the Doobie
Brothers, Steven Stills, Randy Travis, Prince, Francine
Reed,
Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson and The Planetary Bandits. Kris has drummed and engineered on the Willie Nelson
Live on Maui CD.
Kris
currently plays and records on four different drum sets; a Yamaha
maple custom vintage finish kit,
a DW Exotic wood collectors series kit, a Roland V-Drum electronic kit and
a world drum kit, which consists of a life long collection of over
70 world percussion instruments.
In 2015 Kris played percussion on the debut CD by The Kalama Brothers of California as well as recorded, produced and performed on the CD for Cue Source Music, Polynesian Percussion.
He is presently working on a new solo CD of his own compositions and new performances with Jimmy Dillon, John Cruz, Adrian Trevino and the May Lee Band. Due to Covid-19 restrictions all preformances are on hold. |