Bobby Thomas Jr
Percussionist
“Don't entertain 'if.' Get that out of your vocabulary. Don't entertain 'fear.' If you put that thought in your mind, it's gonna manifest. Tell yourself, 'No more if; when.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationBobby Thomas Jr
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Came home from school everyday to his mother singing along to American Bandstand-first introduction to music.
Then he saw the Florida A&M marching band; "Everything was so fast and perfect...wow, I wanna play like that."
His father took a job at a Jewish temple; now he was hearing cantillations, added on to his rock and drumming influences.
A friend introduced him to Ray Charles' drummer, Billy Peeples, who taught him swing, bebop drumming.
Transferred his knowledge into his preferred method of hand drumming; innovated, popularized hand drumming.
Says, "make yourself a priority"-if you get excited by something, you obviously love doing it, should pursue it.
Make time for all of your hobbies and passions; like "the head of a corporation," make time and get them done.
Education
High School
Bachelor
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College
Career
Percussionist
I'm a percussionist combining playing styles of different cultures and instruments, both ancient and contemporary.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Music
Being Creative
Interviewed By
Miami - New York City
Meet Sean, Tim and Christina from the University of Miami as they prepare for their roadtrip across the US. In their first days on the green RV, they meet with jazz percussionist Bobby Thomas Jr., who admonishes them to never say 'if,' only 'when.' The team then heads to New York to talk to Bust magazine Editor-in-Chief Debbie Stoller and listen to how she built Bust into what it is today.
