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Miles Thomas's High 5
Miles Thomas's High 5 Musician, recording engineer, producer, and now bandleader Miles worked as the recording engineer for a few years at the famed…
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Musician, recording engineer, producer, and now bandleader
Miles worked as the recording engineer for a few years at the famed Paradise Studios (with Billy Field) recording many local and a few international jazz albums.
“The lack of active creativity spurred my departure from full time audio work. It is totally dependent on who is being recorded. I love the drums I hit something and I hear it back immediately!”
He currently plays in many different musical situations Gerard Masters, Saloons, The Penetrators, Smoke And Silver, Billy Field, Gavin Ahearn and now Pen Island. The Miles Thomas led trio have just released their first recording “Just Blowing” on Ladder Recordings. The trio comprises Gerard Masters (piano) Brett Hirst (bass) and Miles (Drums) - “This is our interpretation of standards. A melting pot of all our influences”
“I still do a fair amount of audio work, but only jobs that I really like!”
Miles is currently working on the new Gerard Masters pop album, Guy Strazz World Quartet, MT&TheRVs and the groundwork for a solo album due out the end of this year.
1. GERARD MASTERS TRIO – The Basement, Sydney, 2008
This was the first piano trio gig that captivated me. The interaction, the groove and the fun these guys were having was infectious. Luckily, it was captured for a DVD release, so I still check it out every now and then. Evan Mannell is a constant inspiration - He’s such a badass!
2. JIM BLACK’S ALASNOAXIS – Bennetts Lane, Melbourne, 2011
Hearing Alasnoaxis play a late set at Bennetts lane, as part of the Melbourne Jazz Festival was awesome! Jim has such a unique voice on the instrument, and his control of sound is phenomenal. The band was really firing, opening up some of the tunes for more improvisation, constantly aware of all members. Awesome! Contemporary music at its finest!
3. MATT McMAHON TRIO – Venue 505, Sydney (Jazzgroove) 2011
Simon Barker is a mentor/hero of mine. Seeing this gig totally reinforced my thought that he is one of the finest musicians on the planet! Simon has a beautiful touch on the instrument, and a concept of rhythmic smearing that I think I finally understood at this gig! The fluidity of communication between the trio was exceptional.
4. SEAN WAYLAND – Institute of Music, Sydney, 2010 (i think)
This was the first time I heard Mark Guiliana live. This was certainly a moment in my life when I heard some of the things in my head, being done cleaner, faster, cooler than I thought possible. This performance was a definite motivator for the shed and is a constant source of inspiration.
5. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Big Day Out, Sydney (200?)
Joey Castillo is a badass. This was hard-hitting rock music. Massive drum sounds! Awesome guitar sounds! I really dig Josh Homme’s songs and the production of their albums. Seeing it live was great!
